Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the report on the management of waste by hospitals; if she plans to introduce a practice of good waste management and targets for waste management performance; if she intends to investigate the significant cost element which waste management represents for hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23825/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I welcome the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on waste management in hospitals. The principles outlined in my Department's 1994 health services waste policy and later segregation packaging and storage guidelines for health care risk waste, are consistent with the recommendations of the report.

While the cost of good waste management in the health services may be significant, the health services have a responsibility to ensure that waste management practices are upheld to a high standard in the interest of maintaining good health and safety standards and reducing the impact from waste generation on the environment. My Department will advise the Health Service Executive to ensure that, where deficiencies have been identified, the good practice recommendations in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report will be adopted and acted upon.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the costs of waste management in each hospital nationwide since 2000 to date, distinguishing between risk and non-risk waste. [23826/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for collating the information sought by the Deputy. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.