Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his proposals to introduce a compensation scheme for psychiatric nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14201/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The report of the task force on assaults on psychiatric nurses was completed in 2003. It quantified the level of assaults, made recommendations on prevention and contained proposals for a scheme of compensation for psychiatric nurses who have been seriously injured following an assault by a patient in the workplace. The approval of the Government would be required for the introduction of a new State compensation scheme in addition to the existing serious physical assaults scheme. In late 2003, a draft Government memorandum was circulated. During the consultation process, complex legal and financial issues emerged in respect of aspects of the scheme proposed by the task force and their implications for the health service and the wider public service. At a meeting on 3 March last, I updated the Psychiatric Nurses Association and SIPTU on concerns that had been raised about the proposed scheme. My officials are discussing the matter with the Department of Finance and the Office of the Attorney General. I expect to be in a position to provide a further update to staff representatives in the near future.