Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of prisoners on a waiting list to participate in a drug treatment programme; the number, if any, who have been on such waiting list for in excess of three months and the steps being taken, if any, by the Minister to ensure such treatment is speedily provided for prisoners who require or request it. [35223/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform in respect of each of our prisons the number of prisoners on a waiting list to participate in a drug treatment program; the number, if any, who have been on such waiting lists for in excess of three months; and the steps being taken, if any, by the Minister to ensure treatment is speedily provided for prisoners who require or request it. [35546/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 134 together.

As of 30 September 2010, there were 34 prisoners throughout the prison system on waiting lists for drug treatment programmes. No prisoner has been on the waiting list for more than three months. Table 1. shows the number on the waiting list by prison. I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the current waiting list will be cleared within 1 month.

A report on Prison Drug Treatment Services in Ireland (March 2008) highlighted the high level of need for addiction services among the prison population and the upward increase in the number of prisoners treated. This clinical evaluation confirmed that the Irish Prison Service drug treatment services are to the forefront internationally, particularly when judged against the numbers receiving methadone maintenance treatment.