Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of inspections performed by environmental health officers on restaurants and pubs in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36663/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to food inspections. Environmental Health Officers of the HSE carry out food safety inspections of all food establishments under service contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Data regarding inspections of food establishments is captured in six broad categories of establishments, including the services sector, which includes restaurants, pubs, hotels and other service sector establishments. The FSAI have informed me that the numbers of food inspections carried out in the service sector between 2007 and the first half of 2010 are as follows:

2007 - 32,909

2008 - 31,810

2009 - 31,206

2010 (up to end of June) - 13,381