Vol. 515 No. 6
62 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the recent comments made by a person (details supplied) of the drugs detox unit at Mountjoy Prison that a hepatitis C epidemic was sweeping drug abusers; his views on the suggestion made by him that provision of a methadone maintenance programme in prisons could result in a significant reduction in viral spread; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5490/00]
The comments referred to by the Deputy were made in a report which has been available to me since late 1999. I have been acutely aware of the problem of hepatitis infection and the associated drug problem in our prisons for some time. At my request, research has been completed on the prevalence and risk of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in Irish prisoners. The relevant report in this respect was published in late August 1999. The report found that infection with hepatitis C among the prisoners who took part in the survey was 37%. However, the preva lence of hepatitis C among declared drug users was found to be 80%. These figures are similar to the prevalence of infection among drug users in the community.
Information on HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C is routinely available to all prisoners through prison medical and other staff. Prisoners diagnosed with any of these conditions are automatically referred to specialist clinics in external hospitals for assessment and advice in relation to current or envisaged treatment needs. Any recommended treatment is provided to prisoners while in prison.
A steering committee on communicable diseases has been at work in my Department for some time dealing specifically with this important issue. In addition, 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 a multi-disciplinary group has recently been established to conduct this review.
The Deputy has also drawn attention to the comments in the report regarding the provision of methadone maintenance. Professional advice available to me is that the provision of a methadone maintenance programme in prisons could result in a reduction in viral spread. The action plan on drug misuse and drug treatment in the prison system which I approved last year provides a detailed strategy to raise the level of treatment for drug addicted offenders. The provision of methadone maintenance is an integral part of this plan. The plan also includes the expansion of detoxification facilities and the provision of more drug free areas.
At my request the director general of the Prisons Service recently established a National Steering Group for Prison Based Drug Treatment Services with a view to implementing the action plan. The steering group comprises representatives from my Department, the Eastern Health Board, senior prisons service management and the Probation and Welfare Service. The director general has agreed to chair the steering group himself to signal the importance that is attached by the prison authorities and Government to this issue. The group has invited submissions from the general public as well as from special interest groups in relation to its review.
