Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has referred to the need for more staff and better infrastructure. I point to the ongoing improvements since we last considered the Estimate for the prisons Vote. For example, in Portlaoise Prison there is a new unit, especially for violent prisoners. We have also been working to ensure prisoners subject to a regime of solitary confinement receive an appropriate level of treatment and are placed in solitary confinement for good and sound reasons. With infrastructural developments, I refer to the ongoing recruitment of new prison staff.

I readily accept what the Deputy said about the provision of medical care and attention in prison, particularly for prisoners with mental health needs. It poses a challenge. The Irish Prison Service is making arrangements to carry out a comprehensive healthcare needs assessment of the prison population. We need to ensure medical treatment is provided for anybody who requires it in prison. Prisoners receive medical care through the primary care system. Yes, there is a difficulty in staff retention, but I assure the committee that the care and rehabilitation directorate is taking all possible steps to recruit prison medical personnel on a permanent basis. I share the concerns of members about the large number of prisoners with mental health issues or who are suffering from a mental health disorder. It is important that appropriate psychiatric services be made available. This is an ongoing challenge. The National Forensic Mental Health Service provides mental health services on an ongoing basis in prisons in Dublin, as well as in the Midlands Prison and Portlaoise Prison. Current trends show that approximately 250 prisoners are in receipt of services weekly. The Deputy mentioned acute psychiatric services and the relationship between the Central Mental Hospital and the prisons. It is important that the Irish Prison Service and the Central Mental Hospital work together to ensure an appropriate level of service. There are persons in prison who would benefit from detention in a health, rather than a prison, institution. We need to deal with such persons on a case by case basis.