Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
193. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the addiction services and therapeutic supports available to prisoners in each prison in the State; the number of therapists, psychologists and counsellors employed annually from 2020 to 2025; the number of hours of such services delivered in each prison during that period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22556/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Prison Service (IPS) has advised that all those committed to prison are subject to a comprehensive nursing and medical assessment by the Prison Healthcare team. A key component of this is a mental health and addiction assessment. Where necessary, the person is referred to an in-reach Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, the IPS Psychology Service, and/or addiction services. Assessment and treatment is provided as clinically indicated.
In-reach psychiatric services are available in all prisons with the exception of Limerick Prison and Loughan House. Psychological assessment and intervention is available in all prisons. Addiction counselling through Merchant Quay Ireland is available in all prisons, with the exception of Arbour Hill Prison and the Training Unit. Historically, both prisons accommodated people with lower rates of addiction, however clinical need is increasing and as a result resourcing for both prisons is currently under review.
Other therapeutic supports include Chaplaincy, the Samaritans Listeners Scheme and 24 hour telephone line, Rape Crisis Centre counselling and domestic violence support programmes in both female prisons, Occupational Therapy, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Recovery College, parenting programmes and addiction psycho-education via Prison Education Centres, and Traveller-specific therapy supports.
Owing to the considerable time it would take to provide details of six years of staffing in both services, it is only possible to provide current addiction counselling and psychologist staffing numbers. It is also important to note that recruitment is ongoing for all vacant posts.
Table 1 at the link below provides details of sanctioned Psychologist posts per prison. Table 2 at the link below provides the number of sanctioned Addiction Counsellors per prison.
In line with international best practice guidelines, service protocols are dependent on management responsibilities. Senior Psychologists engage in approximately 14 hours of client contact times per week and Staff Grade Psychologists engage in 17 client hours per week. Assistant Psychologists engage in 8 client hours per week. Addiction Counsellors can provide up to 25 clinical hours per week. Project workers in the Irish Prison Service are a relatively new addition and clinical hours vary at present as the position is consolidated.
Ongoing pressure on spaces in the Irish Prison Service impacts operational management of prisons, including reducing clinician access. As a result, unfortunately, a proportion of those referred to addiction counsellors and psychologists will be released without assessment or treatment.
