37 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children if water storage systems in hospitals and health care centres are properly cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. [5848/02]

Responsibility for the cleaning and maintenance of water storage systems in hospitals and health centres rests with the relevant health board or authority. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of each health board, and the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.