Tattoo, an indelible mark or figure fixed upon the body by insertion of pigment under the skin is fast becoming an act that puts food on the tables of many in Ireland. Daily on the street of Ireland, men, women and even teenagers are seen with body marks. How they get them, where they get it done, state of tools used is really not known. For them, having a tattoo is just it.
This alarming spate of Tattoo among residents of Dublin as prompted a report on the state of Tattoo parlours in Dublin. With over a thousand of them, the question is, how many of them are regulated? With the high increase of HIV/AIDS, one would wonder what the government is doing to check activities of Unregulated Tattoo parlours.
According to her, there is no licensing or regulation of the tattooing or body piercing industries in Ireland and there are currently no plans to introduce regulation or legislation in the area of tattooing and body piercing – as such, the Department does not retain a record of the number of tattoo / body-piercing parlours in Ireland.
However, where a tattoo or body piercing business has been implicated as a possible source in a case of a confirmed scheduled notifiable disease, such cases can be investigated by the HSE Environmental Health Service in conjunction with the HSE Public Health Service under the provisions of S.I. No. 390/1981 – Infectious Diseases Regulations 1981 and Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 276 of 2016).
She says, In the absence of a statutory framework being in place, this Department and the Health Service Executive took the initiative to develop guidelines in relation to tattooing and body piercing industry – these guidelines are currently in the process of being finalised. It is anticipated that the publication of this Guidance will promote and enhance evidence based best practice in hygiene standards and infection control. Discussions will be held shortly with the Health Service Executive in relation to publication, dissemination and support following publication of the guidance document. Given the absence of a clear statutory framework and the need to obtain expert views in relation to the area, some delays arose in relation to finalising the final text of the guidelines – however, it is expected that they will be published shortly. Once published, this guidance document will set out a standard of practice in relation to infection prevention and control which all operators should adhere to. This will help to drive up standards and provide a safe environment for clients and practitioners.
Elohor's Blog 