Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them very much for their time. This is a fascinating and hugely important subject. I was struck by what Mr. Black said about the extent of the healthcare system within the prison system. We should all keep that in mind. People are in prison for committing acts and for justice but there is a huge healthcare infrastructure in prisons. Following on from that, we constantly talk to the HSE about the lack of resources and staff. I am struck by the massive waiting lists in the system. Is it a funding issue or is it the same issue we hear about from the HSE with regard to hiring? Is the long delay and rigorous process involved in hiring across the public sector also a major barrier for the Irish Prison Service? It can take up to nine months to hire someone in the HSE. Does the same apply in the Irish Prison Service?

My other question is on the impact the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 will have on the Prison Service and the services it delivers. What preparation and education are provided for prisoners and staff in the Prison Service?

This committee often discusses data and statistics, or the lack thereof. Ireland is not very good at compiling statistics. Reference was made to the link between a lack of diagnosis and reoffending. Mr. Black has been very clear on the number of people who are in prison because they have not been diagnosed. They may be self-medicating. There may be a whole raft of reasons. Has a link been established between the diagnosis or service provided in prison and a lack of reoffending? Are there data on that? When there is a success how can that be replicated? I am sure that is what the service wants to do. Are there figures for the number of homeless people who enter the Prison Service?