Noel Treacy
Ceist:177 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Justice her views on whether the Garda Síochána should not be involved in the escorting of mental patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6272/97]
Written Answers. - Garda Escorts.
The question of the escort of mental patients by An Garda Síochána is provided for by the Mental Treatment Act, 1945. In accordance with the provisions of this Act the Garda is obliged to escort certain categories of mental patients.
I have been informed that the Department of Health is currently preparing new legislation in relation to this area of health and I understand this legislation is progressing through the relevant stages.
Noel Treacy
Ceist:178 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Justice the number and rank of gardaí attached to Mountjoy Prison for the escort of prisoners; the extra numbers required on any given day; the plans, if any, she has to assign all responsibility for this work to the prison authorities with support from the Army as necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6273/97]
The deployment of garda personnel is the responsibility of the Garda authorities and they have informed me that there are no gardaí attached to Mountjoy Prison. There are, however, seven gardaí and one sergeant attached to Mountjoy garda station for the escort of prisoners. I understand that, on average, four additional members are provided from within the Dublin north-central division on occasions when extra gardaí are required for escort duty.
The question of transferring responsibility for all prisoner transportation to the prison service is under active consideration at this time. However, there are substantial policy and deployment issues to be addressed in this context.