Vol. 457 No. 4
96 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals below the 200 acute in-patient beds requirement for investigation and licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will give the names of the hospitals concerned. [15482/95]
97 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals under 200 acute beds, which are exempt from Environmental Protection Agency licensing and investigation, which are currently incinerating health care waste on site. [15483/95]
98 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals exempt from licensing which currently transport healthcare waste to other exempt hospitals for incineration on site; and if he will name the hospitals concerned. [15484/95]
99 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the arrangements reached between hospitals for the incineration of healthcare waste. [15485/95]
100 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is either safe or suitable that waste for incineration should only be monitored prior to incineration; and if he considers it safe to assume that such pre-incineration monitoring excludes any threat to public health from toxic emissions during the healthcare waste incineration process at Our Lady's Hospital in County Meath. [15486/95]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 to 100, inclusive, together.
There is a commitment in the policy document, A Government of Renewal to bring forward a programme to replace existing incinerators for the disposal of clinical and hospital waste with new non-incineration technologies. My Department proposes to implement this commitment by arranging for tenders to be invited from specialist waste disposal contractors for the provision of a collection and non-incineration disposal service. The tendering process will be in accordance with the EU tendering procedures for public procurement. Consultations with the health agencies are continuing and contract documentation is in course of preparation.
There are 41 publicly funded acute hospitals below the 200 in-patient beds requirement for investigation and licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency. A list of names of the hospitals concerned is attached. The information which the Deputy is seeking in relation to the number of hospitals in this category which are incinerating healthcare waste on site, and the transport and other arrangements between the hospitals, is not available in my Department.
As regards Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, I agree that monitoring of emissions would be desirable. I have had inquiries made of the North Eastern Health Board and I understand that the board is in negotiation to make alternative arrangements for disposal of healthcare waste from Our Lady's Hospital and to cease incineration there in the near future.
Publicly funded acute hospitals having less than 200 beds.
Adelaide
Cherry Orchard
Coombe
Hume Street
Inc. Orthopaedic, Clontarf
James Connolly Memorial
Loughlinstown
Naas
National Children's
National Maternity
