Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the provision of chaplaincy services by his Department; the amount of money spent on these services; the denominations involved; if humanist chaplains are provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17129/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that there are currently three denominations providing pastoral care in the Irish Prisons Service. Requests from other denominations to visit prisoners are facilitated by the Governor of the prison, where possible.

The spend for 2011 and 2012 for Chaplaincy services across the prison system is outlined in the following table:

There are in excess of 20 Chaplains, representing Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland and Methodist denominations. However, Chaplains are responsible for the pastoral and spiritual care of the entire prison community, regardless of denomination.