The Western Health Board has paid €1.2 million to operate a temporary kitchen at University College Hospital in Galway over the last three years, it has emerged.
The hospital's purpose-built kitchen had to close in 2001 following an infestation of cockroaches. It has been confirmed that the temporary kitchen has been costing €28,000 a month to run since then.
The problems with the kitchens in UCHG began in the late 1990s when it was decided to construct a state-of-the-art facility close to the nurses' home.
Cockroaches were discovered in the kitchen less than 18 months after it opened, and it was closed as a matter of urgency. For a time the hospital used kitchen facilities at nearby NUI Galway.
The cockroaches are believed to have come from the sewers which are underneath the new kitchen. Although the vermin were initially exterminated, they returned.
The kitchens were closed again while the problem was investigated and have remained closed since mid-2001.
At the time the Western Health Board said that it would provide temporary kitchen facilities.
The board yesterday confirmed that the temporary kitchens are still being used.
A spokesman said that the catering facilities used at the hospital comply fully with health and safety requirements.
"In relation to the refurbishment of the temporary kitchens we wish to confirm that any preventive maintenance, replacement equipment or refurbishments are inclusive in the rental costs," the spokesmaadded.
The Western Health Board did not have any response to make when asked if the cockroach problem in the permanent kitchen had been resolved.