Tom Moffatt
Question:109 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Justice if he has satisfied himself with the medical and psychiatric services available in prison units throughout the country. [11956/96]
Written Answers. - Health Care in Prisons.
The level of medical care available in prisons and places of detention is kept under constant review.
Negotiations have been taking place for some time with the Irish Medical Organisation regarding a common contract of employment for all doctors. Such contracts will have implications for the medical services provided in the prisons and places of detention. It is hoped to bring these negotiations to finality as quickly as possible.
Discussions are also taking place with the Eastern Health Board aimed at improving psychiatric care in prisons in the Dublin area by means of the formal sharing of psychiatric posts between the health service and the prisons. Approval has been granted for this proposed restructuring and discussions are ongoing with a view to my Department entering into a contract with the Eastern Health Board for the provision of the revised psychiatric service to prisons in the Dublin area. The possibility of having a similar arrangement elsewhere is being examined.
In addition, negotiations on the introduction of qualified nursing staff into various prisons are progressing. The presence of nurses would make a considerable contribution to the quality of health care in prisons.