Vol. 468 No. 4
671 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for justice the time scale envisaged to open and improve drug-free accommodation for male and female inmates; whether the detoxification unit will proceed in spite of union objections regarding the hiring of agency nurses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15802/96]
679 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure that there is adequate co-operation between the Eastern Health Board drug abuse services and the prison authorities to enable continuity of care and drug treatment when addicts on methadone maintenance are committed to jail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15810/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 671 and 679 together.
A drug-free area with accommodation for up to 90 prisoners has been operating successfully at the training Unit, Glengarriff Parade, Dublin 7 since March 1996. Regarding the possible expansion and improvement of drug-free accommodation for prisoners, I am currently examining several options in respect of other institutions. I hope to be in a position to announce significant developments in this regard in the autumn. The treatment facility for drug addicted prisoners, which includes a detoxification facility, is now in operation at Mountjoy Prison's health care unit. While the staffing arrangements for the unit have been the subject of some discussions with staff representatives, this matter has now been satisfactorily resolved.
Methadone maintenance is one of the treatment options which will be available in the treatment unit. Committals who had been complying with a recognised course of maintenance immediately prior to imprisonment will, subject to certain criteria, be facilitated with a continuation of their course.
These developments at present cater for male prisoners only. Having regard in particular to the self-contained nature of the health care unit, I am not totally excluding the possibility of providing treatment for female prisoners at this location. This will, however, depend on the development of the services there and other operational factors. The plans for the new female prison reflect fully the medical needs of inmates including provision for the treatment of drug addicts.
