Prison doctors salaries to double
Prison doctors’ salaries are to double as part of a new deal to end a long running dispute over pay and conditions, it emerged today.
The 25 medics agreed to accept the move which will also include a review of facilities and support services in jails throughout the country.
Under the deal brokered through the Labour Relations Commission it is believed 23 prison doctors at the centre of the dispute will be paid €117,300 for a 39-hour week, compared to €64,000 under the old system.
Army medics were drafted in to a number of jails in Dublin in May to ease the crisis.
The doctors, members of the Irish Medical Organisation, will also earn an on-call allowance of €5,100 and are entitled to one year’s sick leave. The first six months paid in full, and half-pay for the second six months.
Dr Hugh Gallagher, chairman of the prison doctors’ committee, said the medics had resumed work in jails on August 10, and were determined to provide full and proper care.
“The focus now must be on ensuring that real improvements in the medical care of prisoners follow the extensive discussions that have taken place with the prison authorities,” Dr Gallagher said.
“Our ultimate objective is to ensure that the medical care of prisoners is on a par with that available to the wider community.”
The Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Prison Service have agreed medical care for prisoners should mirror that in the wider community.
An independent review of prison medical facilities and support services will now take place.
An expert in substance misuse will also carry out a separate review of the organisation and delivery of drug treatment services in Irish prisons.
