Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2012
486. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the supports in place for members of An Garda Síochána who suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression as a result of their work. [49736/12]
View answer487. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the proportion of members of An Garda Síochána that retired following illness or injury on duty that were retired due to mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. [49737/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of members of An Garda Síochána who have been granted ill health retirements from 1 January 2012 to 7 November 2012 was 1 Sergeant and 4 Gardaí. Ill health retirements can include those who retire following illness or injury on duty which gave rise to mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. In the same period a total of 429 members of An Garda Síochána retired. 1.17 % of those who retired did so on ill health grounds.
There are a number of supports available to staff in An Garda Síochána who suffer mental health issues. These supports include an Employee Assistance Service and also an Occupational Health Service. When management become aware that a staff member is suffering from a mental health issue, that member is immediately referred to the Occupational Health Service (O.H.S.). It is the duty of the Chief Medical Officer to determine fitness for duty or otherwise. The O.H.S. will meet the staff member at the earliest opportunity and if necessary refer them to an independent specialist advisor, a panel of whom are retained to provide this service to the O.H.S. In addition to this referral, local management must conduct a thorough investigation into the source of the members mental health issue and report this to Human Resource Management. This allows for a comprehensive approach to managing such ill health issues.
