Vol. 430 No. 8
235 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that training in food hygiene for workers in the catering industry is adequate; if he will introduce a compulsory food hygiene course for such workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I recognise fully the importance of proper training for persons involved in the catering industry. However, the wide variety and turnover of workers in this industry, and the part-time nature of much of the employment, would make a compulsory scheme very difficult to enforce. This consideration is recognised in the current draft EC Directive on Food Hygiene which does not propose compulsory training but rather would put an obligation on food business operators to ensure that staff are supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activity.
