Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to carry out health screening for staff of his Department and contract staff who worked on Haulbowline Island and their families to confirm that their health has not been damaged by they themselves or close family members working in close proximity to dangerous waste materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26510/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, it is the duty of each employer to ensure that health surveillance is made available for every employee appropriate to the health and safety risks that may be incurred at the workplace. Significant hazards must be reported, in this context, to the Health and Safety Manager.

In relation to the former Irish Ispat site at Haulbowline, a comprehensive site investigation was conducted on the site in 2005 by consultants, White Young Green, who concluded that, while there is significant contamination of the site, it posed no immediate threats to human health or the environment in the area. Staff of the Department, or others acting on its behalf, wear the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) when out on site.

As part of my Department's continued support of health promotion in the workplace, a health-screening programme is made available to all staff and their spouses or partners on a biennial basis. A programme of this nature is currently underway for all staff in the Department.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff in his Department who have received or are receiving support to participate in postgraduate educational courses in the years 2004 to 2008 inclusive. [26986/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The numbers of staff in my Department, who have received or are receiving support to participate in postgraduate educational courses in the years 2004 to 2008 inclusive are set out in the table. Postgraduate educational courses include Higher Diplomas, Masters and Doctorates.