Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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464. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost to recruit two additional WTE senior psychologists and two additional psychologists for the Irish Prison Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30672/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The role of the Psychology Service in the Irish Prison Service is to deliver, develop and manage an integrated mental health and criminogenic needs assessment and treatment service for people in custody, in line with service plans and objectives, and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy.

I am informed that the Prison Service currently employ various psychologist grades, including;

• Head of Psychological Services,
• Principal Psychologist Manager,
• Senior Psychologists (Grade I),
• Staff Grade Psychologists (Grade II), and
• Assistant Psychologists - an unqualified grade currently employed on a 2 year fixed term contract.

The estimated full year costs to recruit 2 additional whole time equivalent Senior Psychologists and 2 additional psychologists is €368,000 gross.

This is inclusive of Employers PRSI of 11.05% and is based on the current pay scales, valid from 1 March 2023. See table below for breakdown.