Vol. 517 No. 3
268 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he will take to deal with the pending medical manpower crisis in the prison services in view of the fact that a large number of doctors are abandoning their work in the service due to working conditions. [9982/00]
While there have been some recruitment and retention problems in relation to health care staff in the prisons, it is not true to say that large numbers of doctors are abandoning their work in the Prisons Service. The annual reports of the Director of Prison Medical Services, which have been made available under the Freedom of Information Act, have outlined in some detail the various difficulties in recruitment that exist. Given that Irish health care staff have a wide range of employment options at present, it is understandably difficult to attract medical people to work in what is considered a difficult working environment.
I established a group to review the structure and organisation of prison health care services last November. The group will be looking at all of the issues involved, including those relating to the recruitment and retention of medical staff. As soon as the group reports to me, I will give early consideration to any recommendation it makes in this general area.
269 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the Irish Prison Doctors Association was excluded from the new review group set up to examine the prison medical services. [9983/00]
270 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the review of the prison medical services will be completed; and if he will publish the report. [9984/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
The review group referred to by the Deputy was set up to carry out an independent review of prison health care services.
The review body is under the chairmanship of Mr. John Olden, Second Vice-President of the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Inhumane, and Degrading Treatment of Persons in Custody, and former Secretary of Roinn na Gaeltachta.
The membership of the review group consists of representatives of: Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Department of Health and Children; Department of Finance; Director of Prison Medical Services; a senior prison governor; a nominee of the Irish College of General Practitioners; a nominee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists; a nominee of an Bord Altrainais; a nominee of the Pharmaceutical Society; a nominee of the Irish Dental Council.
Although the Irish Prison Doctors Association as a group are not officially represented on the review body, the chairman of the association is a member of the review body as the representative of the Irish College of General Practitioners. In addition, the Director of Prison Medical Services has approached all prison doctors and psychiatrists individually and invited them to make submissions to the group.
I am satisfied that all areas of health care are adequately represented on the group. The group has, however, invited submissions from the general public as well as from special interest groups in relation to its review. The group would, of course, particularly welcome a submission from the Irish Prison Doctors Association in view of the important role of prison doctors in the provision of prison health care.
This review will obviously take some time to complete. I expect to have a report from the group by summer 2001. It is my intention that this report will be published as soon as possible.
