Vol. 421 No. 2
15 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the administrative problems that have arisen between his Department and the Department of Health in regard to the establishment of a clinic in Mountjoy prison to assist prisoners to cope with and resolve problems of drug addiction; when such a clinic will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I assume the Deputy is referring to specialist clinics to augment routine general medical services. I am not aware of any administrative problems between my Department and the Department of Health holding up the development of such clinics. The only problems are practical ones relating to the availability of accommodation and appropriate specialist personnel, their rate of remuneration, etc. The Director of Prison Medical Services is actively pursuing the matter.
I should like to emphasis that, in the meantime, any prisoners requiring specialist medical services are brought to outside hospitals to receive them.
