asked the Minister for Health if there are mixed staffing arrangements at the Central Mental Hospital, Dublin; and whether the staffing arrangements comply with all the EEC regulations or directives on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Mental Hospital Staffing.
17.
There are mixed staffing arrangements at the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum. Forty of the 150 staff are female; 12 of the 110 patients are female.
Because of the type of patients cared for in the hospital it is not feasible, or in some cases in the therapeutic interests of the patients, that they should be cared for by persons of the opposite sex. These factors are taken into account in the allocation of duties to the individual members of the staff.
I am not aware that the Eastern Health Board, who are responsible for running the hospital, are in breach of EEC regulations or directives affecting staffing arrangements. I will, however, ask the board to look into the matter.