57 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who were offered treatment for drug addiction while in prison in 1995; and the numbers who accepted and rejected the offer. [2194/96]

Individual prisoners' medical files are confidential in the context of the doctorpatient relationship and the information requested is therefore not available.

Regarding treatment for drug addicted prisoners generally, I would like to inform the Deputy that plans are well advanced for the implementation of a range of measures already announced for the Mountjoy prison complex. These include a treatment facility which will provide for humane detoxification on a par with hospital practice and also for a drug free unit.