The kitchen and staff canteen of the Wee Care crèche on RTÉ's Donnybrook campus was among four premises issued with closure orders by the Food Safety Authority last month, where inspectors observed a "significant" number of rodent droppings representing a "grave and immediate threat to food safety".
The FSAI said a "significant" number of rodent droppings were evident in the kitchen, on the floor behind and underneath two fridges, one freezer and an oven.
Inspectors also said that "adequate procedures were not in place to control pests" on the premises.
"A grave and immediate danger to food safety exists in the food premises due to rodent activity," the FSAI report said.
In a statement, RTÉ said it has "no day-to-day role in the operation of the crèche" on its Donnybrook campus.
"RTÉ leases the premises to a third party, Wee Care who operate the crèche facilities. RTÉ cannot comment on the cleaning request or process which was requested by Wee Care and carried out by RTÉ's cleaning contractors," the broadcaster added.
Closure orders under the FSAI Act were also issued for Il Vicolo restaurant at Bridge Mills in Galway, All Bar Chicken in Coolock in Dublin, and Doolin Ice Cream’s food store in Co Clare.
Detailing the reasons for a number of other enforcement orders issued for several other premises during June, the FSAI also said it found rodent droppings in a box containing lids for smoothie cups, and a lack of adequate and regular cleaning, as well as one premisis pooling water from defrosting fish mixed with blood and raw meat on the floor of a walk-in chiller.
FSAI Chief Executive Greg Dempsey said that failures such as poor hygiene and pest activity are "basic errors" that can have severe consequences to public health.
"Food safety isn’t optional, it’s essential," he said.
"While we understand the daily pressures on businesses, food safety and hygiene standards must be maintained at all times.
"A robust food safety management system not only protects public health, but it also supports the long-term success of the food business. Non-compliance with food law is not tolerated and enforcement action will be taken where standards fall short."
Other premises issued with either full or partial closure orders under EU regulations include the Tunisian Halal Butcher in Finglas in Dublin; Frenchpark Service Station in Roscommon, and Fresh Today in Trim, Co Meath.
