Vol. 492 No. 7
315 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the situation regarding the provision of psychological services in all prisons; the proposals, if any, he has to extend this service; and the number of psychologists employed in the prison service. [15164/98]
A psychological service is available to inmates in our prisons and places of detention. There are seven psychologists employed by my Department's clinical psychological service, who deal with the prison system. All are based in my Department's headquarters and attend, where possible, at the different institutions in response to perceived needs.
In order to respond to changing and increasing demands on the psychological service, it has recently been decided to review the way in which it is provided. This review is currently under way and any proposals to expand the service will depend on the conclusions reached.
