Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
40 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that procedures are in place to protect prisoners from hepatitis C infection through the use of non-sterilised equipment by prison barbers. [32574/04]
View answerFor a considerable time the Irish Prison Service has been involved in an ongoing process of providing both prisoners and prison staff with information regarding the risk factors for the transmission of hepatitis C and other infectious diseases. On the issue raised by the Deputy, while the risk of transmission through normal grooming procedures, including barbering, should be minimal, anyone engaged in such procedures would be advised of the appropriate precautions, particularly in cases of unforeseen blood spillage.
