Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2016
41. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to work with the Department of Health to establish a comprehensive review of prison health, with urgency, and to endorse the recommendation of the UN Committee for the Prevention of Torture that prison healthcare services be brought under the responsibility of the Department of Health and operated by the HSE. [21722/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra43. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will work with the Minister for Health on establishing a review of prison health towards addressing the serious deficiencies which exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21724/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 43 together.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department is currently in communication with the Department of Health in relation to a fundamental review of healthcare in prisons and the provision of healthcare services in prisons generally.
The Irish Prison Service has also advised that discussions have taken place with the Health Information and Quality Authority regarding the possibility of it conducting a review of healthcare service delivery in prisons. However, the Health Information and Quality Authority has indicated that it is not in a position to conduct such a review at this time.
The prison healthcare service seeks to provide prisoners with access to the same range and quality of healthcare services as that available under the Medical Card scheme in the community. In recent years, the Irish Prison Service has experienced difficulties in recruiting nurses and doctors to work in prisons. However a recent competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service has resulted in fifteen nurse appointments to date.
