asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the Government's intentions regarding the third part of the Henchy Report.
22.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report on Mentally III.
21.
asked the Minister for Justice if there is any work in progress on or any plans to build a psychiatric unit in Mountjoy or Arbour Hill Prisons in Dublin or in any other penal institution.
23.
asked the Minister for Justice the plans to build special units for mentally disturbed offenders, if so, the number and location of such units and how they will be staffed.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 to 23 inclusive together.
The Third Interim Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Mentally Ill and Maladjusted Persons was presented in November 1978 and was published in January 1980. It contains wide-ranging proposals which, if implemented, would involve very substantial changes in law and practice and would have serious financial implications.
The report is available in the Library and may be purchased from the Government Publications Office. I might point out that so far the only observations received in my Department have been from other Departments and from some members of the judiciary who were specifically consulted.
I would welcome any comments that the Deputy, any Deputy or anyone, may wish to make in regard to the report and the draft Bill which is attached to it but I would like to have his considered views in writing. This is not a matter on which it would be right to ask the Government to take decisions without as full an examination as possible of all the implications of the proposals including the financial implications.
Currently, new high security custodial accommodation on lands adjoining Portlaoise Prison is being planned and consideration is being given to the possibility of including accommodation in this new development which, with proper staffing, could appropriately be designated as a special unit, as envisaged in the report, for persons with violent personality disorders. The professional advice available to me is to the effect that violent personality disorders which are described as psychopathic or sociopathic are not known to be susceptible to psychiatric treatment.
The report also envisages that offenders found to be suffering from mental disorder will be treated in psychiatric centres designated for the purpose by the Minister for Health.
This question arises out of the Minister's comprehensive reply. Does the minister accept that there is a problem about people with pyschiatric disorders in our prisons at present——
I do.
——and that some sort of urgent response will be needed there?
Yes.