Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide the necessary funding to allow the Health Service Executive to appoint a microbiologist at Kerry General Hospital in view of the high levels of MRSA at the hospital and the numerous outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17743/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) including MRSA is a priority for the Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the HSE under the Health act 2004 and funding for all health services, including staffing at Kerry General Hospital, has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.