22nd November 2000
276. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received the first report of the steering group on prison based drug treatment services. [26958/00]
Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin): I have received the first report of the steering group on prison based services. The report was the subject of a memorandum to Government, submitted by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, dated 9 October, and a subsequent Government decision of 18 October.
The Government has approved, in principle, the implementation of the recommendations made in the report. My Department's officials are negotiating with the Departments of Finance and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, as well as the Prisons Service and health boards in relation to precise staffing and other expenditure related proposals in the report. I am confident that implementation of the recommendations in this report will result in significant improvements in the overall health and well-being of drug misusers in prison, allowing equal access to services whether people are in or out of prison.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.