Liz McManus
Question:101 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the number of gardaí who have contacted hepatitis B and hepatitis C, she will provide safety measures and facilities to ensure that gardaí are properly protected.
Written Answers. - Hepatitis Infection in Gardaí.
I am advised that in the community as a whole, approximately 1 in 200 people show evidence of having contracted or been exposed to the hepatitis B virus at some time in their lives. While it is not possible to say how much of this is related to work-associated risks — as distinct from normal social contacts — it is recognised that some employees, because of the nature of the work they do, such as health workers, prison officers, gardaí and others may be open to greater risks in the course of their work and need therefore to take certain precautions.
Although the number of gardaí who are known to have contracted the viruses mentioned — 10, of whom 6 were hepatitis B and 4 hepatitis C — may appear to be relatively small by comparison with the general community experience I have mentioned earlier, I fully accept that there is certainly no room for complacency on this score and that it is of the utmost importance that all possible preventative measures and safeguards are put in place and that the gardaí avail of these to reduce the risks.
I am aware that the Garda authorities have taken the necessary steps in this regard, including vaccination programmes, safety instructions and other facilities to protect members of the Garda Síochána from contamination. While the decision to avail of any medical treatment must be a matter for the gardaí themselves, I note that, accordingly to Garda figures, the hepatitis B vaccination programme which has now been in operation for three years, has been availed of by only 20 per cent of gardaí. In other words, the level of concern indicated by the Deputy's question and in Garda publications does not appear to be matched within the force itself.