Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 7

Written Answers. - Prisoners' Hospital Appointments.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

93 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the arrangements in place to enable pregnant prisoners to make visits to hospitals; by whom these prisoners are accompanied; the mode of transport used; and whether all such prisoners are treated equally in this regard. [10517/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

Arrangements to facilitate hospital appointments for pregnant prisoners are tailor-made, as far as possible, to the needs of the prisoner concerned. Each individual application for a visit to a hospital is considered on its own merits by the medical staff.

Some prisoners would be accompanied by staff, others would be given temporary release for the duration of the hospital visit. Where transport is provided by the prison authorities it would be either in the form of a prison car or mini-bus. In exceptional circumstances an ambulance may be provided. In making arrangements for visits to hospitals, careful consideration is also given to the safety of the general public and of the other patients in the hospital.