Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
290. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of beds allocated to the Irish Prison Service in the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum; the number of beds that will be allocated to the Irish Prison Service in the new national forensic hospital in Portrane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32277/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that persons in custody who currently require residential mental health treatment can be admitted to the Central Mental Hospital following assessment by the National Forensic Mental Health Service on the basis of assessed clinical need. This will also apply in regard to the admission of any person in custody to the services of the National Forensic Mental Health Services in the new facility in Portrane, which will have an increased capacity.
The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that it has access to a limited number of places in the Central Mental Hospital for prisoners who require residential mental health treatment. The waiting list for admission is managed by the National Forensic Mental Health Service on the basis of assessed clinical need.
