Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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265. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made in relation to health care in prisons with particular reference to the action taken by each prison following the report carried out by the former inspector of prisons regarding the fact that each prison would conduct a staffing needs analysis and health care needs assessment of prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51975/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Prison Service has advised that, on foot of the recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, and in line with the observations made by the former Inspector of Prisons, it has sought approval for the appointment of an Executive Clinical Lead, who is to  ensure the maintenance of clinical governance in respect of healthcare provision and will lead on the oversight and management of health services across the prison estate.

When appointed, the Executive Clinical Lead will have responsibility for the management of prison healthcare services and will be central to the undertaking of a comprehensive review of those services. The Terms of Reference for this review are to be agreed by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Health once the Executive Clinical Lead is in place.  This review will, amongst other things, include an examination of international best practice, an assessment of the current and future needs of the prisoner population, and an analysis of the provision and resourcing of health and personal social services currently available to the Irish prison population.