All hospitals in cities and large towns faced the risk of drug-dealing on their grounds, the Dáil was told following reports about alleged widespread drug-dealing at St James's Hospital in Dublin.
Minister of State for Health Sean Power said St James's had rejected the allegations of systematic drug-dealing within the hospital.
In the past the hospital had sought the advice of the Garda Síochána when a problem was identified, and, having taken its advice on board, crime-prevention measures had been implemented.
However, the Minister told Labour health spokeswoman Liz McManus that, unfortunately, all hospitals in large urban areas, like most public buildings, faced potential risks of drug-dealing on their premises.
Gardaí had received a number of complaints of low-level drug-dealing in the grounds of St James's Hospital and in the vicinity of the adjacent Luas station, but local gardaí were unaware of reports of open drug-dealing within the wards, waiting areas or in the hospital corridors.
A crime-prevention initiative, Hospital Watch, was due to be officially launched at St James's next month, and was already in place in Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Beaumont and the Mater hospital. This would ensure that hospitals and their surroundings were safe places for patients and visitors.
Ms McManus said illegal drug-dealing in hospitals created a serious risk, not just to patients, but to the staff.
The Minister should know the extent of the problem and should have the information about the number of arrests made in St James's for drug-dealing.
"Why is it when we checked today there did not appear to be any additional security measures in place.
"We already have MRSA and hospital-acquired infections. Is the Government to accept that illegal criminal activity in our hospitals will now be part and parcel of our experience of the health service?" Ms McManus asked.
Mr Power said St James's was active in using CCTV and ultraviolet lighting along with other recognised security measures in combating drug abuse.
Liaison was maintained between the hospital and the Garda on a 24-hour basis, and a Kilmainham Garda station inspector acted as designated liaison officer.
He called on any staff with information on drug-dealing to pass it to gardaí.
