James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug detoxification places available in each of the State's prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9065/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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At present, any person entering prison giving a history of drug use and testing positive for drugs on committal are offered a medically assisted symptomatic detoxification for operational reasons. Patients can, as part of the assessment process, discuss other treatment options with healthcare staff, which may include methadone maintenance.

The Medical Unit in Mountjoy Prison has spaces specifically allocated for a dedicated drug detoxification programme. Each multidisciplinary programme lasts 6 weeks and the programme has a capacity of 9 prisoners at a time.

Prisoners who present, either on committal or otherwise, with other substance misuse related problems have available to them a range of medical, nursing, psychological, and counselling services which are tailored to the particular needs of their situation.

Finally, I should add that the capacity to deliver the Irish Prison Service's Drugs Policy and Strategy will be significantly enhanced by the provision of the new complex at Thornton Hall.