Written answers

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

Department of Justice and Equality

Prison Service

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Irish prisons that do not currently have comprehensive hepatitis C treatment programmes in place for which prisoners can receive treatment within the prison facility and without having to attend a hospital setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57873/21]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy of the ten closed prisons under the remit of the Irish Prison Service, six have in-prison access to specialist hepatology services provided by St. James’s Hospital.

I can further advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service, in conjunction with the HSE, have planned a pilot programme for two of the prisons who do not have in-prison access to specialist hepatology services.

Unfortunately the ongoing Covid-19 situation has delayed the commencement of these programmes but progress is being made. Meetings have taken place with all relevant stakeholders and pre-planning initiatives such as prisoner education and enhanced prisoner communication have also begun.

It is envisaged that these pilot programmes will complement the existing Hepatitis C and Hepatology services in the Irish Prison Service.

It is also important to note that any prisoner who is already linked in to Hepatology services in a hospital will have their appointments facilitated. Furthermore, if a prisoner receives a diagnosis of Hepatitis C in prison they are immediately referred to specialist services if the specialist services are not available in the prison.

In respect of the two open prisons (Loughan House and Shelton Abbey) all prisoners in these institutions have already been through a closed prison which would give them access to such services and any appointments or treatment continue to be facilitated.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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154. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the programme the Government is developing to have a structure in place for dealing with hepatitis C and infectious diseases amongst the prison population and within the clinic setting in the prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57874/21]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, all prisoners committed to prison are subject to a medical assessment by the Prison Healthcare Team. Healthcare staff are guided by the infectious disease policy with support from prison and national committees to implement a range of infection control measures for TB, HIV, Hepatitis B and other infections.

Hepatitis screening is offered to all new prisoners as part of this assessment which includes Hepatitis C. Prisoners can also avail of Hepatitis screening through their local Prison Healthcare Team at any stage of their time in custody.

If at any time a prisoner displays any signs and symptoms of hepatitis or any other infectious disease they are reviewed by a member of the Prison Healthcare Team and managed in accordance with infectious disease policy and public health advice.

I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is currently in consultation with the HSE to develop a comprehensive Hepatitis C screening programme that builds on the existing screening and treatment service in the Dublin and Midlands Prisons. Where necessary, this programme will facilitate access to assessment and treatment for Hepatitis C by a specialist clinical team.

The ongoing Covid-19 situation has delayed the planned introduction of a pilot programme and also delayed the subsequent roll out the Hepatitis C “seek and treat” programme across the entire prison estate. However, it is expected that a pilot programme will be introduced in the first quarter of 2022 and extended to the remaining prisons during 2022.

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