AN asbestos type tile will be removed during work on the refurbishment of two wards at Kerry General Hospital.

The HSE South Estates Department obtained the services of a competent asbestos surveying company to undertake a survey of Valentia and Reask wards which are being prepared for refurbishment.

This identified an asbestos type tile which will be removed prior to refurbishment as was the case in the previous refurbishment.

The HSE said: “This removal will be undertaken by a trained and competent contractor under the supervision of a third party independent analyst. this is always the Estates Department approach to any tile removal project in Kerry General Hospital.

Continuous air sampling will be in place for duration of asbestos removal process confirming no asbestos fibres have been released. Equally, upon completion of the works, a clearance certificate will be issued to HSE by an independent consultant confirming environment is safe to reoccupy.”