Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Security.

Bernard Allen

Question:

468 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce new security arrangements for accident and emergency departments in public hospitals; the funding that has been made available in 2000 to improve the situation; and the funding that will be made available in 2001 in view of ongoing threats and attacks on medical personnel. [24104/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness includes a commitment to review security arrangements in accident and emergency departments.

The question of health and safety, including security, is essentially one for individual agencies to deal with on a day to day basis within their annual determination, service planning process and legal requirements under the Safety and Health at Work Acts. However, my Department has provided an additional £1 million this year to supplement and improve security arrangements in accident and emergency departments in public hospitals.

The health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority have also been asked to carry out a review of security arrangements at accident and emergency departments in their respective regions, to examine the management of the hazards involved and to make proposals in this regard for the period 2001 to 2002.

The question of additional funding for security arrangements in accident and emergency departments in public hospitals will be considered in the context of the Estimates process and the determination of expenditure and the service planning process for health agencies in 2001.

Questions Nos. 469, 470 and 471 taken with Question No. 451.