Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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1246. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of whole-time equivalent medical officer appointments in the Irish Prison Service; the number of these that are currently vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14846/21]

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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1247. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of medical officer appointments that were filled by temporary locum staff in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14847/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1246 and 1247 together.

I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service use a combination of full time Medical Officers and locum Medical Officers to deliver General Practitioner services across the Prison estate.

As of 23 March 2021, the total number of Medical Officers assigned in the Irish Prison Service is five, two full time and three part time.  

I can further advise that there are currently 9.5 vacancies for Medical Officers across the prison estate.  There is currently a panel in place from a recent open recruitment competition which will reduce, though not eliminate, the use of temporary locum Medical Officers across the estate. 

The Service continually monitor the staffing requirements and vacancies that arise as a result of multiple factors including mobility, promotions and retirements.

The information requested by the Deputy on the daily requirement for locum medical officers in each prison is set out in Table 1.

This requirement has remained constant from 2016 to 2020.It should be noted that the General Practitioner service provided in Cork Prison is by way of a service level agreement with a community General Practitioner rather than a locum service. 

Table 1. Daily Level Of Locum GP Service required

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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1248. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the Irish Prison Service increased remuneration for medical officers in 2020; the reason this was deemed necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14848/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the increases to the remuneration of medical officers in 2020 were in line with public sector pay agreements.