James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is worth noting that the increased staffing in prisons of one additional psychologist has allowed the Prison Service to do more group sessions in 2022. An additional 1,842 group sessions were held in 2022 compared with 2021. Consequently, I believe the additional recruitment that is ongoing will provide significant help.

In working to reduce waiting lists for psychology interventions, the Irish Prison Service psychology service is proactively reducing the time spent doing assessment and, in turn, increasing the amount of time allocated to interventions. This includes the fast-tracking of prisoners into certain interventions directly from referral based on file review and consultation with a multidisciplinary team. In addition, the Prison Service is increasing the number of group sessions rather than individual sessions. This will allow the psychology service to engage with a greater number of clients. Previously, group sessions were closed, meaning that once the membership of the group was established, it was not open to new members to join. The Prison Service has now introduced rolling groups that allow for new members to join and this will improve access to psychology therapy. Further developments are being introduced by the Irish Prison Service psychology service. I agree with the Deputy. The waiting times are too long but we are attempting to reduce them.

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