asked the Minister for Health the Protection afforded to psychiatric hospital patients to prevent their exploitation by employers during employment as part of prescribed rehabilitation; and if his Department have established guidelines within which the remunerations of patients undergoing rehabilitation through outside employment can be determined.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Psychiatric Hospital Patients.
26.
This is a matter for the health boards concerned. I would be very surprised if any health board permitted exploitation of patients undergoing rehabilitation, but if the Deputy has reason to believe that this is taking place in any case, I will be glad to have the matter investigated.
My Department has not laid down guidelines regarding the remuneration of patients engaged in out side employment and it would be impossible for it to do so, having regard to the wide variations in the abilities of patients, particularly in the early stages of their rehabilitation.