Vol. 553 No. 3
105 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the policy of his Department towards the risks of assault on medical staff in the course of their work; if he has received submissions from those representing medical staff seeking improvements in the cover available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13997/02]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the risks of assault on psychiatric nurses. I can inform him that I have established an appropriate task force to investigate the incidence and the reasons for assaults on psychiatric nurses. While it is recognised that it may be difficult to deal with the issue of a compensation scheme in relation to any one group of health service workers in isolation from other public sector groups, regard will be had to the recommendations of the task force on the feasibility of an appropriate compensation scheme. Membership of the task force includes representatives of the relevant nursing unions – PNA and SIPTU – the Health Service Employers Agency, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Finance. The task force held its first meeting on the 12 June 2002. Every effort will be made to ensure that the task force completes its work by 1 December 2002.
