James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree that prison officers need to be trained to support people with disabilities, mental health difficulties and those with a history of trauma, and that is happening. All recruit prison officers are provided with extensive training to equip them to work supportively with and manage vulnerable people. Irish Prison Service psychologists contribute to the training on mental health awareness and the link between trauma and offending in neurodiversity.

In addition, work is progressing in some prisons on more autism-friendly environments with the support of AsIAm. This includes training of staff and changes to physical infrastructure, particularly in waiting areas, and initiatives such as the development of a sensory garden in Wheatfield Prison, which the Minister, Deputy Harris, opened recently.

As regards mental health specifically, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, set up the mental health task force. It has reported, and its report being implemented. We also recently opened the new National Forensic Mental Health Service hospital, which will help provide additional services in a timely manner. Outreach is done into our prisons as well.

I am aware of the scheme in Limerick. It is a very important scheme. I do not have an update on it here but I will get the Deputy one.

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