DCC paying out €3.4m injury compensation as needle injuries increase

Dublin City Council has had to pay their staff over €3.4 million in compensation for injuries they have suffered at work.

Most of the claims were for broken limbs, facial injuries and shoulder and back injuries.

However, the figures also showed an increase in injuries from syringe needles.

32 syringes a day are picked up from Dublin’s streets between the council and a number of groups.

Richard Guiney from business group Dublin Town said the crews they send out have protective clothing and are trained to pick up hazardous materials.

"It's part of the overall general training of dealing with hazardous items like needles," he said.

"They put them into safe disposal boxes - it is taken seriously. They have clothing that is appropriate for the work they do."