Prison Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022

Tuesday, 17 May 2022

Ceisteanna (607, 608)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

607. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners under sentence in the Dóchas Centre and in Limerick Female Prison who received methadone maintenance treatment over the past two years by prison and by month in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24449/22]

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

608. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners under sentence in the Dóchas Centre and in Limerick Female Prison who received medically assisted symptomatic detoxification over the past two years by prison and by month in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24450/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 608 together.

The information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and verified and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Questions 607 and 608 for written reply on 17th May 2022 requesting the number of prisoners under sentence in the Dóchas Centre and in Limerick Female Prison who received medically assisted symptomatic detoxification over the past two years by prison and by month in tabular form.

The information requested was not readily available at that time and I undertook to respond to you as soon as possible with the relevant information. I am advised that the Irish Prison Service provides a health care service for all prisoners with addictions in a structured, safe and professional basis in line with international best practice. The Irish Prison Service continues to be committed to and predominantly involved with the National Drugs Strategy in partnership with community colleagues and organisations.

The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the tables below.

2020	Dóchas Centre Detoxification	Dóchas Centre Maintenance Treatment	Limerick (female) Detoxification	Limerick (female) Maintenance Treatment
JANUARY	9	38	5	19
FEBRUARY	13	40	5	20
MARCH	12	38	5	19
APRIL	9	24	2	13
MAY	8	26	2	12
JUNE	10	23	2	12
JULY	9	22	2	12
AUGUST	8	19	3	15
SEPTEMBER	8	21	3	19
OCTOBER	8	21	3	17
NOVEMBER	9	21	3	15
DECEMBER	8	16	2	14

2021	Dóchas Centre Detoxification	Dóchas Centre Maintenance Treatment	Limerick (female) Detoxification	Limerick (female) Maintenance Treatment
January	8	16	2	15
February	6	19	1	13
March	7	18	2	14
April	5	17	2	13
May	5	15	2	13
June	5	16	2	13
July	6	16	3	13
August	6	16	2	12
September	6	16	2	12
October	5	17	1	14
November	5	16	1	13
December	6	19	1	13

I trust this explains the situation.

Question No. 608 answered with Question No. 607.