HSE spent €800k dealing with rodents and insects

Rats, mice, ants, fleas, and silverfish were among the infestations found in hospitals during the past five years, as the HSE spent more than €800,000 on pest-control services.

Figures released by the HSE reveal that €812,904 has been paid to pest-control companies for work carried out at 30 public hospitals throughout the State since 2009.

Problems involving pests have included an infestation of ants in the maternity unit at University Hospital Galway last March, and sightings of mice in the emergency department at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway.