Result of prison doctors' ballot expected

The result of a ballot of general practitioners servicing the State's 16 prisons will be known later today.

The result of a ballot of general practitioners servicing the State's 16 prisons will be known later today.

The Irish Medical Organisation members are voting on a deal that would almost double their salary from €61,000 per annum to €117,000 for a 39-hour week.

Under the deal, which was negotiated at the Labour Relations Commission, the doctors will also receive pensions, an on-call allowance, improved sick pay and study leave payments.

There will also be a review into the organisation and delivery of drug treatment in prisons, including facilities, staffing and training requirement. This will be carried out by an independent expert within the next six to eight months, with its recommendations to be implemented within two years.

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The union said it was pleased with the deal, which is expected to be accepted by the doctors.

The Irish Prison Service currently has two full-time prison doctors and around 20 part-time staff. There is a also one vacant full-time position.

Doctors went on strike on May 4th before returning to work on August 10th.

The move led to the Prison Service bringing in doctors from the Defence Forces to treat prisoners for the first time in the history of the State.