Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste has covered a lot of the questions that I wanted to ask but I will highlight a couple of issues.

There is a lack of services provided to help people recover from addictions and mental health issues in the Prison Service. I appreciate that the Tánaiste has spoken a lot about the matter. I have worked closely with many of the women in the Dóchas prison so have seen the issues that arise for them and the lack of services. It is shocking to see those women go through certain experiences, particularly those who want to step into recovery but do not know how to do so. I hope that the Minister will make the provision of services a priority.

I want to highlight staffing issues in the Prison Service. They work at the coalface. It can be soul destroying for them to work around people with addiction and they are firefighting. I have seen how hard prison staff try to cope but a lot of them struggle with issues themselves around trying to deal with the impact of what they are trying to cope with. They need greater understanding and more funding should be provided in that area.

Deputy Jack Chambers brought up the issue of community policing. Again, I work with family members who have been impacted by having a loved one with an addiction problem. Community policing is vital in this area, as they have really good understanding, empathy and compassion for the person who has a problem with addiction or mental health. They can sit down and speak to the family and the person who may be heading into that area of addiction. It is particularly important in rural communities. It is time for people to have trust in the gardaí, as they have lost that trust, particularly in the past few years. It is time to build a relationship with communities, as that is vital.

I apologise because I must head off but I do have a particular interest in direct provision. I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say about that.