asked the Minister for Justice the reasons for altering the Rules for the Government of Prisons, 1947, in order that medical officers will in the future only attend prisoners.
Written Answers. - Prison Medical Services.
97.
The recent amendment of the Rules for the Government of Prisons, 1947, suspends the entitlement of prison staff and their families to the services of the prison medical officer at State expense for a period until 31 December 1989. The amendment is a direct consequence of an agreement reached between the Minister for Justice, the Prison Officers Association and the Prison Officers Medical Aid Society whereby prison officers forfeited their entitlement to the services of prison medical officers and to medicines at State expense in exchange for the Minister agreeing, inter alia, to subsidise a medical aid scheme operated by the society.