Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the drug treatment facilities which exist in Mountjoy Prison; if there is a dedicated detoxification unit available in the prison; the number of prisoners who can be facilitated within this unit; the number of prisoners currently being treated in this unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32601/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The new Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy & Strategy, entitled Keeping Drugs Out of Prisons, was launched on 2 May last. This new policy fulfils the commitment in the Programme for Government to publish a plan to end heroin use in Irish prisons as well as my own commitment to achieving a drug-free prison system. Working to fulfil these commitments will involve the implementation of stringent measures to prevent drugs from getting into prisons while, at the same time, continuing to invest in services within prisons to reduce the demand for illicit drugs in the prisoner population as well as meeting prisoners' treatment and rehabilitative needs.

Drug rehabilitation programmes for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. Measures to reduce the demand for drugs within the prison system include education, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicted offenders. These programmes and interventions are delivered on an individual and coordinated basis by the Prison Healthcare Teams, Psychology Service, Probation Service, Prison Education Service and prison officers.

Particular initiatives put in place include Drug Free Areas, Drug Misuse Awareness Programmes, Support Programmes and appropriate health interventions, Substitution Therapies, Vaccination Programmes and treatment for viral illnesses. In addition, the Irish Prison Service provides prisoners with a range of opportunities to encourage them to aspire to a substance-free lifestyle, before and after release, thereby reducing demand for illicit substances. An important aim of the new Policy & Strategy is the operation of all treatment programmes within a coherent policy framework, understood and supported by all agencies involved in drug treatment within the prison system, with the ultimate aim being to provide access to drug treatment and rehabilitation programmes for all prisoners who wish to avail of them.

On any given day there is a significant number of prisoners in receipt of methadone maintenance in Mountjoy Prison. This figure fluctuates, generally around 200, but as recently as mid -September reached 283. The Medical Unit in the Prison is part used as a Drug Treatment Facility and can accommodate 9 prisoners. In addition to this, there is accommodation on F3 & F4 Landings for a number of offenders to undertake detoxification. While undergoing detoxification, the offenders are under the care of a Prison Doctor and an Addiction Psychiatrist.

Over 400 offenders have completed Mountjoy Prison's Drug Treatment Programme. This is a 6 week course involving detoxification, and where necessary, intensive counselling and psychological support for participants. A maximum of 9 offenders can be accommodated on this programme at any given time. There are currently a total of 6 offenders participating in the Programme, 3 having dropped out.

The present drug treatment programmes are currently being expanded and enhanced with the further recruitment of a psychologist, nurses and addiction counsellors as well as other staff, all of whom will be dedicated to working solely in the drug treatment area. In this context, advertisements for the provision of addiction counselling services have recently been issued.