Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments.

Nora Owen

Question:

207 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the duties the proposed forensic psychiatric consultant will have in relation to the prison service in view of the fact he is being employed by the Eastern Health Board and will have a connection to the prison service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23142/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The national forensic service is administered by the Eastern Health Board with in-patient facilities at the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14, and associated community services. The person appointed to the post of forensic psychiatric consultant will be expected to liaise with the director of prison medical services and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The sessional commitments for this post will be: Central Mental Hospital, five sessions; Prison Service, Mountjoy Prison initially, four sessions; and risk assessment evaluations in the general psychiatric services two sessions.

The post has been approved by Comhairle na n-Ospidéal and the position was advertised by the Local Appointments Commission in July 1999. The results of the selection process should be known by the end of November 1999. It is the intention of the Department of Health and Children to facilitate the Eastern Health Board in the further enhancement of its consultant forensic psychiatric services as resources permit.