Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 July 2014
197. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is appropriate that private security guards may be deployed to assist in restraining psychiatric patients in accident and emergency departments; if there have been any incidents of same in 2012 or 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30506/14]
View answerThe question of employing private security guards is a matter for hospital management in the first instance, in accordance with appropriate legal and other standards. I have been advised by the HSE that security arrangements in terms of deployment differ from hospital to hospital and policies are devised and implemented at a local level.
As this is a service matter I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
