Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
221. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice if a service has met an organisation (details supplied) as committed to previously; what the outcome of this meeting was; if supports be provided to this organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41959/23]
View answerI have been advised that senior officials in the Irish Prison Service have met with the organisation referred to by the Deputy on a number of occasions over the last ten months to gain an understanding of their current situation and the range of services this organisation provides to their members.
I understand the services are similar in nature to those provided to comparable organisations, such as, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces through the St Paul’s Medical Scheme and the newly announced medical scheme for the Defence Forces.
The organisation referred to has outlined the significant challenges they are facing due to the exponential increase in medical costs. The Irish Prison Service has committed to meeting them again in the near future to identify what supports the Irish Prison Service can provide, subject to the availability of the necessary resources.
