Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
562 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will indicate the total number of addiction counsellors, pharmacists, doctors or other practitioners currently employed through the health and prison services; the total number of places to be filled or likely to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19962/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that Merchants Quay Ireland are engaged on a contract for service basis to provide addiction counselling services to the Irish Prison Service. There are also similar contractual arrangements in place for the provision of pharmacy services to all prisons. The Irish Prison Service directly employs 1 pharmacist, 3 full-time and 15 part-time doctors. In relation to other practitioners, which I understand from the Deputy's question to be in the healthcare area, the Irish Prison Service employs 18 full-time and 2 part-time psychologists as well as 134.5 nursing staff. To further support the provision of healthcare to the prisoner population, the services of 4.5 locum doctors and 12 agency nurses are engaged.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has sanctioned the recruitment of 2 doctors to fill existing vacancies in the Irish Prison Service. However, the overall staffing level in the public service is determined within the context of the moratorium on staffing levels with particular regard to the Employment Control Frameworks currently in place. Meeting those targets will require continued implementation of the moratorium on recruitment with exceptions being limited only to essential posts which are subject to the prior approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
