Ms Sarahjane McCreery:

PIPS reported a range of waiting times but the longest waiting time for a psychology group, for example, was up to four years. That was in 2021. That was information the IPS provided to us and we are very grateful for that information. To address a few things that were said earlier, of the four key issues we have covered today, three relate to things outside of the prison's control. Reducing the prison population lies with the courts, mental health and addiction supports lie with the community and post-release barriers and opportunities require joined-up thinking between the IPS and the community. The Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Degrading Treatment, CPT, described prisons in Ireland as a dumping ground because people with mental health issues should not be going to prison in the first instance. While something needs to be done about the waiting times for the Central Mental Hospital, these people should not be in prison in the first place. There should be supports in the community to support them so they do not end up there.