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Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Written Answers Nos. 130-151

UN Conventions Ratification

Questions (130)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

130. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ratify the optional protocol to the convention against torture. [12642/16]

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Written answers

Ireland is a signatory to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment and will ratify it, once the necessary legislation is in place to provide for National Preventative Mechanisms (NPMs) to inspect places of detention for the purposes of the protocol.

A process of consultation with civil society, including a wide range of statutory bodies and agencies, non governmental organisations and academics with an interest in the topic has been commenced. An Open Policy Debate hosted by the Department of Justice and Equality in November 2015 provided an opportunity for the various parties to come together and discuss options for NPMs. Building on this, proposals are being further developed to facilitate the ratification of the OPCAT.

Departmental Operations

Questions (131)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

131. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to develop a research capacity within her Department and relevant agencies to support innovative best practice and evidence based initiatives; the resources she has allocated to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12643/16]

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Written answers

My Department, as part of its ongoing programme for change, designated a Chief Information Officer whose brief includes strengthening the research capacity and drawing together existing sources of research relevant to the strategic goals of the Department and its associated bodies. There are a number of events currently planned to engage with the research community to establish how best to move forward in accumulating evidence and data to support evidence-based practice and a more innovative approach to policy formulation. There are a number of existing research elements in the organisations associated with my Department and it is intended that their work be linked and augmented by additional research over the coming years. There are, of course many sources of research external to, but highly relevant to, my Department and the plan is to support collaboration and make connections between related fields of practice.

As data becomes more readily available as a result of this and other initiatives, my Department is enhancing its capacity to make use of evidence in both an operational and a longer term strategic context and is working with the Central Statistics Office on developments around administrative data.

Crime Data

Questions (132)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

132. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce the publication of crime data and analysis on a regular basis. [12644/16]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, publishes detailed quarterly and annual reports of Recorded Crime Statistics.

As the Deputy will recall, following the publication of the Garda Inspectorate Report on Crime Investigation in November 2014, the Central Statistics Office carried out a detailed analysis of issues raised by the Inspectorate in relation to the recording, classification and reclassification of crime, which was published in June 2015. I also understand that the CSO is currently carrying out its second assessment in relation to the quality of recorded crime data and I am advised that the next such analysis is expected to be published in the coming months. The management and publication of such analysis is a matter for the CSO in their independent role as the national statistical agency.

Sentencing Policy

Questions (133)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

133. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the resources she has allocated to the sentencing information project. [12645/16]

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Written answers

The Irish Sentencing Committee was established by the Courts Service Board and is chaired by the Chief Justice. The Committee oversaw the development of a Sentencing Information website, a pilot initiative designed to gather information about the range of sentences and other penalties that have been imposed for particular types of offences across court jurisdictions. The website is being developed as a valuable tool not only for members of the judiciary but also for lawyers, researchers, those concerned with the needs of victims and their families and members of the public. I very much support this initiative and the resources are provided by the Courts Service to assist the project. I should also inform the Deputy that we are currently examining the feasibility of bringing the sentencing information function within the statutory remit of the proposed Judicial Council, the Bill in respect of which is at an advanced stage of drafting.

Sentencing Policy

Questions (134)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

134. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to make a commitment to resource robust non-custodial responses to offending. [12646/16]

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Written answers

The Probation Service, funded through my Department, is an agency with a national remit and with over 35 offices nationwide, whose role is to contribute to public safety through the management of community sanctions and measures. The Probation Service achieves this through the effective assessment and management of offenders by working with its criminal justice partners and a wide range of statutory, community and voluntary organisations. An Estimate of €38.963m for the Probation Service is provided in 2016.

As the Deputy may be aware, I published the Report of the Penal Policy Review Group on 17 September 2014. The Report proposes the adoption of a penal policy with the dual purposes of punishment and rehabilitation both in the imposition and management of criminal sanctions.

The Review Group identified rehabilitation and reintegration as a core principle and significant factor in reducing crime and considers that such aims are best achieved in a non-custodial environment as far as possible. Prison is not the only solution when it comes to those convicted of lesser non-violent offences. Re-offending can also be tackled head on by imposing a supervised community sanction, with appropriate supports, which could see punishment being served, but which would also lead, not only to rehabilitation, but to a reduced risk of re-offending. I have established an implementation group to oversee implementation of these recommendations and to report back to me on a regular basis. The group is chaired by Dr. Mary Rogan, Associate Professor, School of Law, Trinity College who was a member of the review group. I expect to receive a report from this group shortly setting out the state of implementation. It is also my intention to publish this report.

My Department has also led a Working Group of Justice Sector officials to consider options for moving forward on the proposal to establish a Community Court. Building on the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, the Working Group has been considering proposals to enhance our approach to tackling low level offenders and effectively addressing their offending behaviour through a Community Justice Intervention type programme. This would be a diversion from the courts system and would build on An Garda Síochána's Adult Cautioning Scheme which has the potential to respond more effectively to one-off and repeat, low level offending with the emphasis on speedy processing aimed at reducing the risk of re-offending and would also offer quick referral to the necessary services. Issues such as the format and most appropriate model that would apply to the Irish system are under active consideration in my Department and I hope to be in a position to outline definite proposals in this regard shortly.

Courts Service

Questions (135)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

135. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to establish community courts. [12647/16]

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Written answers

My Department has led a Working Group of Justice Sector officials to consider options for moving forward on the proposal to establish a Community Court. Building on the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, the Working Group has been considering proposals to enhance our approach to tackling low level offenders and effectively addressing their offending behaviour through a Community Justice Intervention type programme. This would be a diversion from the courts system and would build on An Garda Síochána's Adult Cautioning Scheme which has the potential to respond more effectively to one-off and repeat, low level offending with the emphasis on speedy processing aimed at reducing the risk of re-offending and would also offer quick referral to the necessary services. Issues such as the format and most appropriate model that would apply to the Irish system are under active consideration in my Department and I hope to be in a position to outline definite proposals in this regard shortly.

Departmental Funding

Questions (136)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

136. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the level of funding given to restorative justice initiatives during each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date; and the cost of increasing these by 10% and 20%. [12648/16]

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Written answers

The Probation Service, through my Department, allocates funding to a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) nationally to support the work of the Probation Service. Two Community Based Organisations receive funding to specifically deliver restorative justice programmes and interventions for adult offenders. These are the Restorative Justice Service, based in Tallaght, and Restorative Justice in the Community, based in Nenagh.

The level of funding allocated to these two specific CBOs from 2011 to 2016 and the approximate cost of increasing this funding by 10% and 20% respectively, based on the 2016 funding level, is set out in the following table.

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2016 +10%

2016 +20%

Total

€382,000

€386,000

€503,500

€396,000

€516,000

€512,500

€563,750

€615,000

Probation and Welfare Service

Questions (137)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

137. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of community sanction schemes in place; her plans to ensure consistency in their availability, use and operation. [12649/16]

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Written answers

The Probation Service, funded through my Department, is an agency with a national remit with over 35 offices nationwide, whose role is to contribute to public safety through the management of community sanctions and measures. The Probation Service achieve this through the effective assessment and management of offenders. This includes working with a wide range of statutory, community and voluntary organisations to deliver services locally in communities.

An example of community sanctions administered by the Probation Service is Court ordered Probation Supervision.

Other examples would be Community Service and Community Return. The Community Return Programme is a joint Probation and Prison Service initiative whereby carefully selected prisoners are granted reviewable temporary release conditional on them performing unpaid community work. Currently the participants must be serving sentences of between 1 and 8 years and must have served at least half of their sentence. Community Service is a sanction used by the courts, in lieu of a prison sentence, whereby convicted offenders over 16 years of age may be given the opportunity by the court to perform between 40 and 240 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Juvenile Offenders

Questions (138, 139)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

138. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of children detained in Wheatfield place of detention during each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date; and her plans to end this practice. [12650/16]

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Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

139. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of children in adult prisons in each of the years 2015 and 2016 to date. [12651/16]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of 17 year olds detained in Wheatfield Place of Detention during each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date is set out in the table below.

Year

Average number of 17 year olds detained in Wheatfield Place of Detention

Year 2016 to date

11

Year 2015

13

Year 2014

10

Year 2013

0

Year 2012

0

Year 2011

0

The practice of sending 16 year old boys to St Patrick's Institution ceased on 1st May, 2012. From that date, all newly remanded or sentenced 16 year olds have been detained in the children detention facilities in Oberstown, where a new detention facility was completed in 2014. This was In line with recommendations of the Inspector of Prisons to effect changes in regime and culture and to ensure the safe and secure custody of juvenile and young adult offenders. Arising from those recommendations, a Government decision was taken to close St. Patrick’s Institution and disperse, where possible, 17- 20 year old prisoners to other locations.

In line with that decision to close St Patrick's Institution, an area of Wheatfield was renovated to house 17 year old sentenced prisoners. All 17 year old males currently serving a sentence are in custody in Wheatfield Place of Detention.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs made the necessary orders under the Children Act 2001 to transfer responsibility for newly-remanded 17 year old males to Oberstown from 30 March 2015. However, for legal reasons, it has been necessary to retain St. Patrick’s Institution on a contingency basis for remands awaiting places in Oberstown. The courts have on occasion remanded 16 and 17 year olds to St Patrick’s for short periods until places in Oberstown become available.

Youth Justice Strategy

Questions (140)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

140. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current level of investment in prevention and early intervention strategies to reduce number of children coming in to contact with the law; and the cost of increasing this by 10%, 20% and 25%. [12654/16]

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Written answers

Just under €17 million has been allocated in 2016 to the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) through my Department to support the operation of youth justice community projects, primarily Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) and Young Persons Probation Projects (YPPPs).

The funding to support the GYDPs and several YPPs is part supported by the Government and the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020. The cost of increasing the allocation by 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 25 per cent would be €1,693,700, €3,387,400 and €4,234,250 respectively.

The Deputy might also wish to note that some €2.8 million additional funding has been provided in 2016 to further support a number of Garda Síochána Youth Diversion and Probation Service projects under the Dormant Accounts Scheme.

Prisoner Data

Questions (141)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

141. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reduce the prison population to a safe custody maximum of 2,850. [12657/16]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that figures in relation to the prisoner population and capacity levels are published on their website www.irishprisons.ie on a daily basis. The Deputy should be aware that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,202. On 27th May, 2016 there were 3,749 prisoners in custody. This represents a occupancy rate of 89%.

I am also advised by the Irish Prison Service that it is continuing to reduce the capacity of our prisons to align with the Inspector of Prisons recommended bed capacity of 3,997 in so far as this is compatible with public safety and the integrity of the criminal justice system. On 27th May, 2015 there were 3,749 prisoners in custody which is 94% of the Inspector's recommended total capacity of 3,997. Significant decreases in prison numbers have taken place since 2011. The Deputy may wish to note that the number in custody reached a peak of 4,621 on 23rd February 2011. On the 27th May, 2016 there were 872 less prisoners in custody, a decrease of 19%. There are no plans to reduce the capacity of our prisons to 2,850 as suggested by the Deputy.

Departmental Programmes

Questions (142)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

142. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the resources she allocated to the community return programme; and her plans to expand it and the categories and number of prisoners ineligible under it. [12658/16]

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Written answers

The Community Return Programme is an incentivised early release scheme co-managed by the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service. It commenced in October 2011 and is now operational in every county and from every prison in the State. The Programme has been supported by the reallocation of resources and key personnel from within both services.

The Programme targets well behaved prisoners serving sentences of between 1 and 8 years imprisonment who are making genuine efforts to desist from reoffending. Prisoners serving sentences of less than one year are ineligible for Community Return and may instead be considered for release under the Community Support Scheme. Persons serving sentences of over 8 years generally fall within the Parole Board process. The legislative basis for making decisions on temporary release is fully set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. Each application is considered on its individual merits and in line with the legislative provisions.

Crime Levels

Questions (143)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

143. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to increase standard remission from 25% to 33% and to introduce enhanced remission of up to 50%. [12659/16]

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Written answers

In addition to the standard rate of remission of one-quarter of sentence, the Prison Rules provide for the possibility of enhanced remission of up to one-third of sentence. This enhanced remission must be earned and applies where a prisoner engages in authorised structured activity intended to increase the likelihood that, when released from prison, he is less likely to re-offend and is better able to re-integrate into the community.

In September 2014, I published the Report of the Penal Policy Review Group which contains 43 recommendations including preparing proposals on the potential for increased use of earned remission. I stated then that I have no plans to increase the standard rate of remission beyond one-quarter of sentence. Nonetheless, I obtained the agreement, in principle, of Government to proceed immediately with a number of key recommendations of the Report and I have asked my officials to examine further the potential for increased use of earned remission as recommended in the Report.

I should add more generally that I have established an implementation group to oversee implementation of the recommendations in the Report and to report back to me on a regular basis. The group is chaired by Dr. Mary Rogan, who was also a member of the Review Group. A report from this implementation group is expected shortly, which I intend to publish.

Prisoner Health

Questions (144)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

144. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to conduct a whole system review of prison health services. [12660/16]

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Written answers

The Irish Prison Service has advised that discussions have taken place with HIQA regarding the possibility of them conducting a review of Healthcare service delivery in prisons. HIQA has indicated that it is not in a position to conduct such a review at the present time. My Department is currently in communication with the Department of Health in relation to a fundamental review of healthcare in prisons and the provision of healthcare services in prisons generally.

Prisoner Health

Questions (145)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

145. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners who were identified as having serious mental health issues and the number of these who were diverted to a more appropriate facility in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12661/16]

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Written answers

I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service does not record data in the format requested on the aggregate number of persons in its custody who are identified as having serious mental health difficulties owing to the requirement that it maintain the confidentiality of the medical records of the persons in its custody.

A Psychiatric In-reach and Court Liaison Service is delivered by the Health Service Executive and the National Forensic Mental Health Services at Cloverhill Prison. The diversion system ensures as far as possible that those people presenting before the courts, or indeed at an earlier stage of the criminal justice system, where the infraction is a reflection of an underlying mental illness, are referred and treated appropriately. This approach has reduced the number of mentally ill people committed to prison. In 2015, the diversion system resulted in 11 admissions to the Central Mental Hospital, and up to 150 persons diverted from custody in prison to other mental health services.

Prison Facilities

Questions (146)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

146. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the mental health services available in prisons; and if on admission prisoners have a thorough mental health assessment as part of initial health care screening. [12662/16]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that In-reach mental health services are available in the Dublin and Portlaoise prisons, and Castlerea prison, through collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) to provide forensic mental health sessions weekly in these prisons.

The Irish Prison Service, in partnership and collaboration with the HSE, provides Specialist In-reach, Consultant-led Psychiatric services to those in custody in Limerick and Cork prisons. The NFMHS also provides an assessment and liaison service for all other prisons where a prisoner requires a forensic assessment, or access to an admission bed in the Central Mental Hospital (CMH).

The Irish Prison Service has access to a limited number of places in the CMH for prisoners who require residential mental health treatment. There is currently an average of 15 persons each week awaiting transfer to the CMH.

The Irish Prison Service, in collaboration with the NFMHS, has established two dedicated areas where high support is provided to vulnerable prisoners with mental illness; D2 wing in Cloverhill Prison (for remand prisoners), and the High Support Unit in Mountjoy (for sentenced prisoners). Both units provide a dedicated area within the prison where mentally ill and vulnerable prisoners, who present with a risk of harm to self or to others, can be separated from the general prison population and are closely monitored in a safer environment. The High Support Units have managed vulnerable and mentally ill prisoners in a more effective and humanitarian environment and has resulted in greater access to care and regular reviews by the prison in-reach team.

A Psychiatric In-reach and Court Liaison Service (PICLS) is delivered by the HSE/CMH at Cloverhill Prison. The diversion system ensures as far as possible that those people presenting before the courts, or indeed at an earlier stage of the criminal justice system, where the infraction is a reflection of an underlying mental illness, are referred and treated appropriately. This approach has reduced the number of mentally ill people committed to prison.

Prison Facilities

Questions (147)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

147. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the resources she allocated to prison psychology services in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date. [12663/16]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that between 2011 and 2016 the following staffing resources were allocated to the IPS Psychology Service at Director of Psychology, senior psychologist and psychologist grade 2 level are as outlined in the following table.

31/12/11

31/12/12

31/12/13

31/12/14

31/12/15

31/05/16

(WTE*) total

18.6

20.1

18

18

17.2

19.8

WTE* = whole time equivalent

Since the end of 2015, the Irish Prison Service has engaged the services of locum Psychologists. Currently the number of locum Psychologists engaged is four.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that a competition to recruit Assistant Psychologists was recently undertaken and it is anticipated that six appointments will be made in August 2016.

Prison Facilities

Questions (148)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

148. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the resources she allocated to prison addiction services during each of the last years 2011 to 2016 to date. [12664/16]

View answer

Written answers

I can advise the Deputy that the allocations attributable to Drugs Programmes in the Irish Prison Service in the period from 2011 to 2015 were:

2015 €4.285M

2014 €4.2M

2013 €4.5M

2012 €5.2M

2011 €5.2M.

Drugs in Prisons

Questions (149)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

149. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if prisoners who wish to address their addictions have access to drug treatment services; and if so, the treatments available to them. [12666/16]

View answer

Written answers

I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that any prisoner who enters the custody of the Irish Prison Services while presenting with addiction issues has access to specialist addiction services, and is actively encouraged to engage with those services.

The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that the treatments available are based on the principles of best practice, and are similar to those available in the community setting. This includes access to harm reduction methods, detoxification, stabilisation, and opiate replacement therapies. These interventions are based on a multi-professional approach to ensure that the prisoner's motivation, commitment and likelihood of success are always at the centre of planned care.

The Irish Prison Service has advised that the healthcare team which delivers these treatments include GP Specialist Addiction services, Consultant Addiction psychiatrist, specialist addiction nurses, addiction counsellors, addiction links workers, pharmacists, primary care GP's, and prison nurses.

The Irish Prison Service also works very closely with the Probation Service, community, voluntary, and statutory agencies to maintain a pathway of care ensuring supports remain in place for prisoners on their release from custody.

All prisoners have access to group and individual counselling services where they can address their own personal requirements, and specific support arrangements can be put in place and implemented during the prisoners period in custody. The person in custody can also benefit from peer support groups, music therapy, and a 9 week psycho-social based programme similar to community residential treatment services, which assists the person in remaining drug free.

The Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service are considering the recommendations of an independent evaluation of the addiction and drugs services in prisons, and are developing an Action Plan for those services based on the evaluation undertaken. The Action Plan will be informed by the recommendations of best practice from the National Drugs Rehabilitation Implementation Committee, and the National Drugs Strategy which is under review at present.

Prisoner Health

Questions (150)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

150. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she continuously monitors infectious diseases in regular prison health monitoring and inspection mechanisms, including human immunodeficiency virus, the hepatitis C virus and tuberculosis. [12667/16]

View answer

Written answers

I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has confirmed that all prisoners undergo a committal health screening by the Prison Nurse on their committal to custody, and within 24 hours by the Prison Doctor. This is a general health screen that includes a screen for Tuberculosis and a drug and virology screen which aims to identify previous testing for viral infections, current and past treatment, and activities that may increase exposure to viral infections.

Testing is offered for viral infections and sexually transmitted infections. Any positive results are notifiable under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2015, and referrals on to specialist services are made for specialist assessment and treatment.

Negative results may be subject to follow on testing depending on timing of possible initial infection or a high risk event, such as an inoculation injury or intravenous drug use with shared needles.

Special measures can be taken in the event of an anticipated or actual infection problem in a prison, such as a pandemic influenza, or active tuberculosis.

Specific measures for certain infection problems are set out in Section 4.9 of the Irish Prison Service's Infection Prevention and Control Policy.

Vaccination is offered to those entering prison for the following infections:

- Hepatitis A/B to all persons committed to prison.

- Meningitis C to those under 23 who have not or may not have had this vaccination to date.

- Influenza; at specific times of the year and in accordance with advice from the Department of Health to those over 65 and those with Chronic Diseases.

- Pneumococcal Pneumonia; to those with Chronic Diseases who have not received this vaccination within the last five years.

- MMR; to those persons who may not have received this vaccination during the 1980s and in accordance with the Immunisation Guidelines set out in Chapter 14 of the Irish Prison Service Clinical Drug Treatment and Policies Manual.

Those referred for specialist treatment will be monitored by those specialist services. Public Health will monitor and treat those with Latent TB infection. Contact tracing takes place in collaboration with Public Health in cases where a new infection is discovered.

Prison Accommodation Standards

Questions (151)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

151. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to work towards single cell accommodation as the best-practice norm across in prisons. [12668/16]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that figures in relation to cell occupancy levels are published on a quarterly basis on their website www.irishprisons.ie. The latest cell accommodation census was produced in April this year and showed that on 7 April, 2016 there was 3,782 prisoners in custody and 2,020 (approximately 53%) had access to single cells.

It is clear, given the current number of prisoners in custody, that the Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide single cell accommodation to all prisoners at this time. I can inform the Deputy that all committals are assessed upon arrival to prison. This assessment process also seeks to ensure that wherever possible, prisoners are accommodated in cells appropriate to their needs. Some prisoners are more suited to multi-occupancy cells, while others are more suited to single-cell occupancy. It should be borne in mind that in certain cases prisoners are housed together for reasons other than lack of capacity. Family members and friends often elect for or are assigned a shared cell. Shared cell accommodation can be very beneficial from a management point of view particularly for those who are vulnerable and at risk of self-harm.

The Deputy will appreciate that my officials are concentrating on aligning our prisoner population numbers with the Inspector of Prisons' recommended bed capacity of 3,997 insofar as this is compatible with public safety and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

I wish to add that the Director General of the Irish Prison Service accepted the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Death of Gary Douche (commonly referred to as the McMorrow Report). A "Cell Sharing Risk Assessment Policy" has been drafted and is currently being piloted in Midlands Prison.

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