Vol. 506 No. 2
72 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action, if any, he will take arising from the recent report of the national steering group on deaths in prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15361/99]
I welcome the recommendations of the national steering group and I hope, in conjunction with the group, to be in a position to follow up on them as soon as possible.
To that end, my officials will shortly be issuing invitations to the group to continue to meet on a regular basis to provide a forum for collating reports of the local suicide awareness groups within the institutions and to disseminate significant findings-lessons learned through the prison system. The group will also be invited to organise an annual forum for the suicide awareness groups of each institution.
It is my intention, with the support of the group and all concerned within the prison system, to ensure that there is in place a clear and systematic approach aimed at the prevention of suicide. I am happy to note the group's recognition that there are currently good policies in place and as to the level of awareness of prison staff in general. I would hope that these policies will continue to be built upon.
