30th September 2004
226. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the facilities which are provided for prisoners to receive testing for HIV, hepatitis C, STIs and other infectious diseases; and the number of prisoners who received testing in 2003. [23154/04]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): For many years, prisoners have been provided with access to testing for various infectious diseases on a confidential basis. Testing may be requested by an individual prisoner or may be recommended by health care staff on the basis of pre-existing risk behaviour or other clinical indication. Testing may either be undertaken within prison or as part of a clinical assessment in external health locations.
At present, it is not possible to identify the precise number of prisoners who are facilitated with testing for one or more of these conditions. It is hoped the introduction of a computerised health care record system will facilitate the collation of data, on an anonymous basis, regarding the number of such tests.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.