Vol. 511 No. 6
358 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the recent accusations made by the Irish Prison Doctors Association that his Department is grossly underfunding the prisons' medical services. [24963/99]
I do not agree with the comment that my Department is grossly underfunding the prison medical services. A full range of medical services are provided to all prisoners by one or more part-time doctors in each prison. In addition psychiatric services are provided when required. My Department is in the process of finalising a service with the Eastern Health Board to improve the organisation and level of psychiatric input in prisons in the Dublin area. We would envisage extending this arrangement, where feasible, with other health providers. All prisoners have access to appropriate dental services either provided in house by visiting dentists or by external local arrangements.
I do accept that there is room for improvement in some areas. The director of the prison medical service, in his annual report for 1998 recommended an independent review of the structure and organisation of prison health care services. I had no hesitation in accepting his recommendation and I recently announced the establishment of a multi disciplinary group to conduct this review.
The terms of reference of the review group will include the following: to consider and make recommendations regarding the structure and organisation of primary medical and nursing services within the prison environment in the light of the development of health care services generally and the needs of the prison population; to consider and make recommendations regarding the provision of psychiatric services to prisoners – taking into account changes in service provision generally and the potential ramification of possible new mental health legislation; to consider the appropriate need and level of in-house provision of specialist medical services and make recommendations accordingly; to consider structures for the legal and professionally appropriate control of pharmaceutical products within the prison system; to consider the present organisation of prison dental services and make any appropriate recommendations; and to consult with all relevant professional and representative bodies in this connection.
The group will invite submissions from the general public as well as from special interest groups in relation to its review.
