Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 101: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if cleaning services in hospitals have been reduced within the past 20 years; her views on the direct link between hospital cleaning, declining hygiene standards and the potentially fatal MRSA infection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2337/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Infection control measures, including environmental cleaning and hand hygiene, are central to the control of health care associated infections, including drug-resistant organisms such as MRSA.

The Department's policy in this area is set out in the strategy for antimicrobial resistance in Ireland, SARI. A SARI infection control sub-committee is revising national guidelines for the control and prevention of MRSA in hospitals and in the community. These guidelines cover a number of areas including physical cleanliness of the environment, hand hygiene, antibiotic stewardship programmes and availability of isolation facilities, as well as screening and detection protocols. When the guidelines are finalised, they will be considered by my Department and the Health Service Executive.

I have identified measures to improve cleaning services as one of the ten actions being undertaken to improve accident and emergency services.