Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
762. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the most recent statistics on the number and rate of self-harm episodes recorded in Irish prisons, broken down by gender and prison estate. [14566/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra763. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the rate of self-harm among female prisoners compared to male prisoners in the most recent Irish Prison Service self-harm assessment data. [14567/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra764. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the protocols that are in place for comprehensive screening of mental health and self-harm risk at committal, including ADHD and autism; and how continuity of care is ensured for those who repeatedly self-harm or are transferred or released. [14568/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra765. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of individuals engaged in repeated self-harm in the latest reporting period; and the specific support services (including psychological and counselling services) that are provided to support these prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14569/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 762, 763, 764 and 765 together.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has advised that all those committed to prison are subject to a comprehensive medical assessment by the Prison Healthcare team. A key component of this is a mental health assessment, including history of self-harm. Where necessary, the person is referred to an in-reach Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist or IPS Psychologist, or both. Psychiatric and/or psychological assessment and treatment is provided as clinically indicated.
Furthermore, the Prison Psychology Service arrange for assessment where neurodiversity may be a key part of the persons presentation. Often, imprisonment is an opportunity to provide assessment and diagnosis for someone who has not yet been diagnosed, and may be the first time the person has been stable enough to engage with the services required to assess, diagnose and engage therapeutically.
In circumstances where a specific need has been identified and ongoing treatment is required on release, I am advised that the IPS and in-reach services will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the necessary links are made with community services prior to release. In relation to self-harm, there are a number of referral routes. If the person also has a psychiatric diagnosis and is engaging with the National Forensic Mental Health Service, a direct referral to secondary or inpatient mental health services can be made. If the person does not have a psychiatric diagnosis, the referral pathway may be made through the Prison Healthcare team to Primary Care services in the person’s locality. Other referral pathways include the National Counselling Service, addiction services, prison-specific after care services and similar.
The IPS and HSE continue to engage in relation to improved care pathways from prison to community across all areas of clinical need through ‘Sharing the Vision’ and the ‘High-Level Taskforce on Mental Health and Addiction Challenges of persons interacting with the Criminal Justice System’.
The IPS published its’ fifth and sixth annual Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis Reports on Monday 26th January 2026. These reports provide a comprehensive overview of self-harm incidents across the prison estate during the period 2022 to 2024 reporting periods. These reports include the specific breakdown data the Deputy is seeking. The data for 2025 is still being collected and analysed, and therefore is not yet available. The annual person-based rate of self-harm (per 100) for 2024, broken down by prison, is available in the attached table. Gender breakdowns for the same reporting period are available in Table 2 (page 24) in the published 2024 report on Self-Harm in Irish Prisons. These reports are published on the IPS website (www.irishprisons.ie). The reports provide important insights into the complex factors associated with self-harm in custody, including mental ill-health, addiction, trauma, and stressors linked to imprisonment.
The IPS’s partnership with the HSE, the National Suicide Research Foundation, and the Samaritans remains central to ensuring that people in custody receive timely, compassionate support. Every incident of self harm represents a person in distress, and the IPS remains fully committed to creating safer, more supportive environments across the prison estate. I am advised that the Irish Prison Service continues to prioritise suicide and self-harm prevention through multidisciplinary working, enhanced staff training, improved information-sharing and early identification of risk. [<ahref="https:/data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2026-02-24_pq762-24-02-2025_en.docx">PQanswer</a>]
