asked the Minister for Justice the steps he is taking, or proposes to take to prevent any further spread in the incidence of AIDS in the country's prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Incidence of AIDS.
33.
I should make it clear initially that, at present, there is no diagnosed case of AIDS within the prison system and there is no evidence that the AIDS virus has been spread among offenders while in custody.
The Deputy will appreciate that the emergence in the prisons of offenders with AIDS antibodies is simply a reflection of what has been happening in the outside community. As is now well known, AIDS can be transmitted through the sharing of needles and, given the high number of drug abusers who are committed to prison by the courts, AIDS-related problems were bound to arise in the prisons.
A number of measures have been taken to deal with these problems.
Comprehensive guidelines have been issued to staff on dealing with infectious diseases and the need for appropriate hygiene measures. Last October 200 people from the prison and related services attended a two-day seminar organised by my Department on "AIDS — Implications for the Irish Prison Service" and this was in line with the continuing policy of making available the most up-to-date information about AIDS and enabling the prison service to respond effectively to the situation.
Early in 1986 it was decided to segregate offenders who had been identified as having the AIDS virus. This was an arrangement which it was considered would make it easier to adopt certain medical precautions and would facilitate the operational requirements of the prison service. At present 36 male offenders who have been identified as having come in contact with the AIDS virus are being accommodated in the separation unit at Mountjoy. The accommodation available there is no longer sufficient to meet requirements and I am taking certain measures to deal with this situation.
As regards services to these offenders, an additional doctor was appointed specifically to deal with them. In addition, special provision has been made for counselling of offenders identified as positive and a multi-disciplinary counselling team is in place to improve the co-ordination of services to these offenders.
In relation to the spread of AIDS, the Deputy will appreciate that, as in the outside community, an individual who avoids sexual or blood-to-blood contact with an infected person is not at risk.