Vol. 467 No. 2
49 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice when qualified nurses will be recruited into the prison service; the reason for the delay to date in appointing qualified nurses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12861/96]
Several members of the prison service are currently qualified nurses. Some have psychiatric nursing qualifications while others have general nursing qualifications. Some of these occupy medical orderly positions in the prisons. Negotiations with the relevant staff representatives on the recruitment of qualified nursing staff into various prisons are progressing.
As an interim measure a small number of qualified nursing staff from within the medical orderly cadre, together with some nursing assistance from outside the prison brought in on a temporary contract basis will be assigned shortly to nursing duties in Mountjoy Prison. This will enable a 24-hour nursing service to be available there.
The proposed introduction of a new nursing service into the prison system creates a requirement for negotiation with relevant staff representatives. Genuine staff sensitivities and issues are involved. Discussions on this matter are ongoing with the staff representative association and the Minister is pleased to record the constructive approach which they have adopted while, of course, at the same time striving to protect their members' interests.
