Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Facilities for Prisoners.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

118 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns being caused to in-patients of the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7, by the admission, from time to time, of prisoners from Mountjoy prison suffering from drug related illness, and that this has caused concern to a number of patients who have felt threatened and, in some instances, have been physically threatened; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that some damage has been done to wards in the hospital; and if he has any plans to provide secure and separate wards for prisoners so that they can get the medical treatment necessary for their condition in a way that does not make other patients or the staff feel threatened.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin):

I understand from the Mater Hospital that they are unaware of any incidents relating to patients having been verbally or physically threatened by patients from Mountjoy Prison and that they are also unaware of any damage done to wards by these patients. At present, patients from prisons are escorted and supervised at all times by two or three prison wardens and the hospital authorities are satisfied that these patients do not pose a threat to other patients or staff.