Poultry Industry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004

Thursday, 18 November 2004

Ceisteanna (46)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

38 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of trained auxiliary staff that are in place throughout the country with regard to trained auxiliary staff at poultry meat plants; the number of shifts these staff have carried out in each plant since they were trained in on-line inspection; the type of staff that are doing the inspection work at present; the employment status of the trained auxiliary staff compared with the staff carrying out the work at present; the overall cost on a monthly basis for the staff carrying out this work at present; the way in which this would compare with the cost of employing trained auxiliary staff; if she has satisfied herself that the current method of inspection at poultry meat plants is the most cost effective and efficient manner by which this work can be carried out; if she has plans to review the system for engaging on-line inspection staff for poultry meat plants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29356/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

There are nine trained auxiliary staff at poultry meat plants throughout the country. The number of shifts that five of the staff have carried out in their plants since they were trained is one per day. The other four staff are engaged in hygiene duties in the poultry meat plants.

Veterinarians are doing the inspection work at present. The trained auxiliary staff are employed on a permanent basis and the veterinary staff carrying out the work at present are engaged on a temporary basis. The overall cost on a monthly basis for the staff carrying out this work at present and the way in which this compares with the cost of employing trained auxiliary staff is not immediately available. This information will be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy within a week.

The current method of inspection at poultry meat plants has served both the industry and the Department in good stead throughout the years. It is intended to review staffing levels at meat plants, work practices, attendance patterns and levels of supervision in relation to the requirements of current and forthcoming legislation and this review will include poultry meat plants.