Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a great need for the provision of psychiatrists and psychologists in prisons here due to the high number of young males currently in prisons here and the fact that when they are released there is no rehabilitation carried out. [19782/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Where a prisoner is assessed as having a specific health related problem, steps are taken to provide assistance to address such problems while in prison. All prisoners have access to a range of therapeutic services, including psychiatric and psychology services. Referral to any particular service is on the basis of assessed need. While every effort is made within the resources available to address identified problems within prison, this obviously requires the active cooperation of the prisoner involved. The Irish Prison Service is currently in the process of recruiting extra psychologists to work in the prison system, including involvement in the rehabilitation of young male prisoners.