Catherine Murphy
Ceist:497. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of domestic violence liaison officers currently in An Garda Síochána by division in tabular form. [61870/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomestic Violence
Ceisteanna (497)
Freagraí scríofa
The information sought by the Deputy has been requested but was not available in time. I will write directly to the Deputy once this information is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
Tackling domestic violence and supporting victims are key priorities for me as Minister for Justice and for Government as a whole. This is something to which the Garda Commissioner and An Garda Síochána also attach the highest priority. I am informed that in line with the Garda Síochána Domestic Abuse Intervention Policy, there are Divisional Domestic Abuse Inspectors appointed in every Garda Division supported by Garda or Sergeant Members. These are nominated to engage with the non-governmental organisations operating in the respective District/Garda Station area and there are currently 157 such members in An Garda Síochána, as illustrated in the table below.
|
Division |
Nominated liaison with NGOs regarding the Domestic Abuse Intervention Policy |
Inspectors |
Sergeants |
Gardaí |
|
Clare |
8 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cork North |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork West |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR East |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR North |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR North Central |
9 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
DMR South |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR South Central |
10 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
DMR West |
6 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
|
Gaillimh |
8 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Kildare/Laois/Offaly |
16 |
2 |
6 |
8 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
|
Louth |
9 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
16 |
2 |
6 |
8 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
5 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
|
Meath |
5 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Sligo Leitrim |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow |
14 |
2 |
8 |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
6 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
It should be noted that each Divisional Officer will make arrangements according to the unique circumstances within their Division. Members nominated to liaise with non-governmental organisations may do so either on a full-time or part-time basis as part of their work.
I hope that this information is of assistance.
Human Trafficking
Ceisteanna (498)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:498. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of successful convictions obtained under the Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking) Act in the years 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [61871/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the Judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's query to the Court Service.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (499)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:499. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda public order unit vans attached to each Garda division as of 1 June 2021 and 5 December 2022, in tabular form. [61872/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of Public Order Unit Vans attached to the Garda Fleet by Division as at 30 May 2021 and 30 November 2022.
|
Division |
30 May 2021 |
30 November 2022 |
|
Clare |
1 |
2 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
1 |
|
Cork North |
1 |
1 |
|
DMR East |
1 |
1 |
|
DMR North |
1 |
2 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
1 |
|
Galway |
1 |
1 |
|
Harcourt Square |
16 |
15 |
|
Laois-Offaly |
2 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
1 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
1 |
|
Total: |
29 |
30 |
Please note that Garda Divisions not listed in this table do not currently have any Public Order Unit vans assigned to them.
Immigration Policy
Ceisteanna (500)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:500. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider an appeals process for the regularisation scheme for undocumented people, to allow a degree of discretion for people who fall just outside the criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61920/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants closed on 31 July 2022. This once in a generation scheme was designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.
My Department had significant engagement with the NGOs in this sector before and during the timeframe for applications and also widely advertised the scheme in advance of and during the 6 month window it was open. Additionally, a targeted media campaign was launched during the final weeks of the scheme.
If an applicant is unsuccessful for this scheme, they have the option to appeal this decision. The refusal letter, as well as the immigration website, contains information on how to submit an appeal. The appeal will also only be judged based on the published criteria.
If their appeal application is also unsuccessful then they will be issued with a proposal of intention to deport under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended.
Under the Section 3 process, the applicant will have the option to voluntarily leave the State or to make submissions to the Minister as to why a deportation order should not be made against them. The Minister is obliged to consider any relevant constitutional and convention rights, such as family life rights and private life rights, before making a decision on whether to make a deportation order. A full consideration of all aspects of their case would be carried out before a decision is made to grant a permission to remain in the State or to make a Deportation Order.
If a person was not eligible or did not apply for the scheme and remains resident in the State without an immigration permission I encourage them to contact the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) or their local immigration office and to take all the appropriate steps to regularise their status.
Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their application.
In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally.
The Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) examines each application to remain in the State on a case-by-case basis and has consistently urged anyone in this position to come forward if they wish to apply to regularise their immigration position in the State.
Death Certificates
Ceisteanna (501)
Emer Higgins
Ceist:501. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the measures that can be taken to speed up the issuing of a full death certificate in cases in which months have elapsed and the interim death certificate will not suffice in order to process insurance claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61940/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Coroner Service comprises of a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial office holders whose function under the Coroners Acts 1962-2020 is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can issue.
Depending upon the circumstances of an individual case, a death investigation may involve the taking of witness statements, the obtaining of medical information, the carrying out of a post mortem examination and/or the holding of an inquest, all of which will impact upon the time it takes for a death certificate to issue.
My Department has no role in directing the work of coroners during the death investigation process.
Individual families are advised to contact the relevant coroner for updates on the progress of the investigation into the death of their loved one. All coroners’ contact details can be found on www.coroners.ie
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (502)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:502. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if funding has been sought by the Garda Commissioner for training in the Garda national public order unit level 2 to commence in Q1 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61952/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). The Commissioner, as the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the Act, is also responsible for the economy and the efficiency of the Garda Síochána in using its resources. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
The Deputy will further be aware that funding for the Garda Vote is sought as part of the usual budgetary process. Budget 2023 provides in excess of an unprecedented €2.14 billion of funding to the Garda Vote.
To be of assistance I have contacted the Garda Authorities and have been advised that Public Order Operators Level 2 training is included in the 2023 training plan for An Garda Síochána. It should be noted that this training is delivered at a Regional level and that training will commence in Quarter 1 2023, subject to approval at Regional level within An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (503)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:503. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of marked Garda cars and vans allocated to the Garda dog unit to date in 2022; the number of these vehicles that have been withdrawn to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61953/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions in relation to the allocation of the Garda fleet. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in such matters.
However to be of assistance, the table below as provided by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of marked and unmarked vans allocated to the Garda Dog Unit and those removed from the Garda Dog Unit in the time frames requested by the Deputy. No cars were allocated to or removed from the Unit during that time.
Table 1 - Vans allocated to/removed from Garda Dog Unit in 2022
|
As at 30 November 2022 |
Marked |
Unmarked |
|
Allocated |
0 |
2 |
|
Removed |
0 |
0 |
The allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (504)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:504. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in the Sligo-Leitrim division who received additional specialist training to deal with domestic violence; the stations that these gardaí are based at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61954/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information sought by the Deputy was not available in the time permitted. I will write directly to the Deputy with the requested information once it is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question 504 of 13 December, 2022 requesting information in relation to the number of gardaí in the Sligo-Leitrim division who received additional specialist training to deal with domestic violence and the stations that these gardaí are based at. You will recall that it was not possible to provide the information requested within the timeframe permitted and a commitment was given to forward this information to you upon receipt.
I would like to assure you that both Commissioner Harris and I are committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to ensuring that An Garda Síochána is resourced to provide support to victims of this terrible crime.
As I am sure you are aware, the national rollout of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) was an action under Supporting a Victim's Journey , and it has now been completed. There is now a DPSU established in every Garda division across the country. This ensures that vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic abuse and sexual violence, presenting to Gardaí are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance. This specialisation ensures that when victims of domestic and sexual violence present to Gardaí, at perhaps their most vulnerable moment, they are met with professional and expert assistance. I would like to assure you that while officers attached to DPSUs receive a range of specialist training, all Gardaí are trained as first responders so they are equipped to deal with victims, including of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
On foot of your question, I contacted An Garda Síochána (AGS) to seek the specific information requested concerning the number of Gardaí in the Sligo-Leitrim division who have received additional specialist training to deal with domestic violence and the stations that these Gardaí are based at.
I am informed that in Sligo/Leitrim Division, as of 9 December 2022;
- 245 members have completed Domestic Abuse Online Training on the Garda Learning Management System (LMS), these members are based across the Sligo/Leitrim Division, a County breakdown is as follows:-
156 – Garda Members in Co. Sligo
89 – Garda Members in Co. Leitrim;
- Divisional Liaison Inspector: There is an Inspector based in Carrick On Shannon who is the Sligo/Leitrim Divisional Liaison Officer and risk assess Domestic Violence Alleged Sexual Assault (DVAS) incidents;
- Domestic Abuse Champions - 57 members in the Division have conducted a training module and are Champions of Domestic Violence Awareness. The Domestic Abuse Champions are a mix of Supervision and Garda members from various frontline Units through Sligo/Leitrim Division. Domestic Violence Abuse (DVA) Champions have received extra training in domestic violence and champion the awareness of protocols and legislation in this area;
- Dedicated DPSU Liaison Officer for multiple victim of DVAS - There is a dedicated D/Garda who monitors repeat victim cases (3 or more flags). In such cases a strategy meeting is convened and intervention response is put in plan;
- Dedicated DPSU in Sligo/Leitrim - 1 x D/Sgt and 7 x D/Garda, working in partnership with frontline response with DVA incidents.
Other training with partner agencies includes;
- In October 2021, 10 staff in the Division were given bespoke training on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault/First Responders Briefing delivered by a Clinical Nurse Specialist from the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, Letterkenny. The briefings were held in Sligo IT (due to numbers and Covid restrictions at that time) where all members of DPSU (1x Insp, 1xSgt & 5x Gardaí) & Sergeant in Charge – Scenes of Crime (Sgt I/C SOC) and 2x Continuous Professional Development (CPD) staff were trained. There is 1 sergeant and 1 Garda in Continuous Professional Development in Sligo/Leitrim Division who provide Core CPD Programmes which includes Domestic Violence.
- A joint Sligo/Leitrim & Donegal Divisional Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault/First Responders Briefing was also delivered in October 2021 to Supervisory Ranks in Sligo/Leitrim Division which included DPSU, Inspectors, and Supervisory Sergeants from each District & CPD staff in each Division.
Continual training in domestic violence is arranged periodically and AGS welcomes training from their partner agencies with a view to building capacity and capabilities in the area. I am informed that AGS intend to conduct more training sessions in 2023.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (505)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:505. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Garda national economic crime bureau as of 1 January 2021 and 6 December 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61956/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including decisions on the deployment of personnel. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion. This will fund the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff.
While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimal use.
The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau investigates serious and complex economic crimes. The Bureau operates on a national basis and provides specialist support and guidance to national economic crime investigators.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the table below displays the number of Garda members assigned to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau on the dates requested.
|
G.N.E.C.B. |
Chief Superintendent |
Superintendent |
Inspector |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
01/01/2021 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
23 |
45 |
74 |
|
06/12/2022 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
19 |
71 |
94 |
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (506)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:506. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if a new contract for the provision of new Garda unmarked vehicles will be put out to tender during Q1 of 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61957/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that the Office of Government Procurement are responsible for tenders relating to An Garda Síochána vehicles.
I am also informed that the Office of Government Procurement has entered into a contract, with effect from 20th November 2020, for the supply of unmarked cars to An Garda Síochána.
I am advised that this contract is effective for a period of two years with the option of a 12 month extension which has been availed of.
I understand that the purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources.
I am also assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimum use.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (507)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:507. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 556 of 25 October 2022, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61958/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (508)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:508. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 557 of 25 October 2022, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61959/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all matters relating to the distribution of personnel and resources within An Garda Síochána. As Minister I have no direct role in, and cannot comment on or intervene in, such matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below outlines the number of Gardaí by rank attached to the Community Policing Unit at Coolock Garda Station, as of 1 October, 2021, and 18 October 2022.
|
DATE |
SERGEANT |
GARDAÍ |
|
October 2021 |
0 |
3 |
|
October 2022 |
1 |
11 |
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (509)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:509. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the Garda districts within the Dublin metropolitan region that have received additional Garda mountain bikes to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61961/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once it is to hand.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (510)
Charles Flanagan
Ceist:510. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied) submitted in December 2017. [61966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation.
It should be noted that correspondence issued to the applicant on 15 February 2019, 05 June 2019, 26 August 2019 & 05 October 2021 with a response only being received on 11 October 2021.
I am advised that an e-vetting invitation is now issuing to the applicant and on receipt of same, the application will be processed further.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (511)
Mark Ward
Ceist:511. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice if data are collected on the number of persons who have mental ill-health, addiction issues or disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, within the prison system and the Central Mental Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
SUBSTANTIVE ANSWER:
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 511 for written reply on 13th December 2022 requesting
the number of persons who have mental ill-heath, addiction issues or disabilities, including intellectual disabilities within the Prison System and requesting a statement on the matter.
As you will recall, the information you requested was not readily available at that time and the then Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys T.D., undertook to respond to you as soon as possible with the relevant information.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that prison clinical record systems do not collate information in the format requested by the Deputy but relevant information is provided in the narrative and tables below.
The healthcare and psychological records of patients in the custody of the Irish Prison Service are recorded on an individual patient basis on the Prisoner Healthcare Management System (PHMS) and Psychology Case Tracking System (PCTS) respectively. Each prisoner’s individual record is recorded in a narrative fashion and as such it is not possible to extract a global report from PHMS or PCTS to produce a summary of medical or mental health difficulties for which people have received medical or psychological treatment or support.
I am further advised that Mental Health Services in prisons are provided primarily by Healthcare, in-reach psychiatric and IPS psychology services. In-reach mental health services are made available to individuals in custody through collaboration with the Health Service Executive, and the National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS). The NFMHS has confirmed that the current caseload includes up to 350 patients who are ordinarily in the custody of the IPS. The HSE is responsible for the collation of relevant statistical data in this area.
The Prison Service has access to a limited number of beds in the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) for prisoners suffering from a severe mental illness who require residential mental health treatment. A waiting list for the admission of prisoners to the CMH is operated by the NFMHS and is reviewed on a weekly basis. I understand that all prisoners on the waiting list have been clinically assessed by Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists from the NFMHS as requiring admission to the CMH which is a tertiary care facility.
The Irish Prison psychology service is a national service and the largest body of mental health professionals working in prisons, employed directly by the Prison Service. At any one time approximately 2,000 or 50% of the prison population are working with, or on the waiting list for psychological assessment and intervention. In 2021, the psychology service received 1,854 referrals and approximately 66% of these were in relation to mental health (including 268 referrals to the Psychological First Aid help line which was open during Covid-19 outbreaks).
Prison Service psychologists work with people who experience the full spectrum of mental health difficulties, from primary care mental health difficulties, right through to those who meet the criteria for secondary and tertiary care mental health services. Psychologists provide talking therapy rather than medication prescription. Clinical/Mental health presentations routinely assessed and intervened with by the IPS psychology service include: mood and anxiety disorders; personality difficulties; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); complex PTSD; self-harm; suicidal ideation; eating disorders; psychosis and schizophrenia, and addiction. In addition, the service works with people presenting with autism, foetal alcohol syndrome, intellectual difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cognitive decline (including dementia) and traumatic brain injury.
I am further advised by the Prison Service that it provides a health care service for prisoners with addictions in a structured, safe and professional basis in line with international best practice. The Prison Service continues to be committed to, and predominantly involved with, the National Drugs Strategy in partnership with community colleagues and organisations.
The Prison Service advise me that approximately 70% of prisoners who are committed to custody have difficulties associated with addiction to substances. It is the policy of the service that, where a person committed to prison gives a history of opiate use and tests positive for opioids, they are offered a medically assisted, symptomatic detoxification, if clinically indicated.
Patients can, as part of the assessment process, discuss other treatment options with healthcare staff; those treatment options may include stabilisation on methadone maintenance for persons who wish to continue on maintenance while in prison, and when they return to the community on release. I am further advised that while drug treatment services are provided in all closed prisons, the same type of programmes are not offered in open prisons as a condition of transfer to an open prison is that the prisoner is drug free.
The HSE compiles statistics listing numbers of prisoners throughout the prison estate who are in receipt of methadone and records these statistics on the Central Treatment List, the data in respect of the number of prisoners treated in 2022 is provided in the table below.
In line with the National Drug Strategy, the Prison Service has an agreed protocol with the HSE for the seamless transition of prisoners engaging in drug treatment while in custody to community drug treatment settings.
Central Treatment List for period 01/01/2022 to 31/12/2022
|
Prison |
Number of Patients Treated |
|
Castlerea |
11 |
|
Limerick |
74 |
|
Cork |
119 |
|
Wheatfield |
128 |
|
Cloverhill |
204 |
|
Midlands |
207 |
|
Portlaoise |
13 |
|
Dochas Centre |
179 |
|
Mountjoy |
76 |
|
Total |
1,011 |
In addition, the Prison Service engages Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) to provide a prison-based addiction counselling service. This service includes structured assessments and evidence-based counselling interventions, with clearly-defined treatment plans and goals.
MQI counsellors work to address presenting issues and to explore the underlying reasons for drug use and how this impacts on the prisoner and wider community.
In respect of information on prisoners with disabilities, I can advise that all prisons perform committal interviews, both nursing and medical, to assist in capturing information relating to physical and mental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities. This allows relevant supports to be put in place to help the person adjust to the prison environment. This could include a range of supports as a wheelchair or specific referral to ongoing HSE supports.
Further and related to the recommendations of the High Level Task Force to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector and the implementation of the Department of Health Policy, Sharing the Vision, the Prison Service are currently developing an initiative to capture additional information relating to mental health and addiction across the Irish Prison Service estate. This initiative is being developed in partnership with the HSE and will involve the study of mental health conditions and intellectual disability across the prisoner population.
Statistics as provided by Merchants Quay Ireland for 2022 are as follows:
There were 2,126 unique clients seen in 2022.
|
Counselling Services |
9,017 |
|
Brief Interventions |
2,505 |
|
Group Attendances |
814 |
|
Assessments |
905 |
|
Total interventions for 2022 |
13,241 |
The Deputy may also find the Irish Prison Service Annual Report for 2021 which is published on the Gov.ie website and which covers the Irish Prison Service Psychology Service of interest.
I trust this is of assistance.
______________________
Simon Harris, T.D.,
Minister for Justice