Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 576: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the level of access to religious services provided in each prison; and the level of access to minority religious services that is provided. [34867/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that a chaplaincy service is available in each prison. Full-time Roman Catholic Chaplains are attached to all prisons in the Archdiocese of Dublin, in addition to Limerick, Castlerea, Portlaoise, and Midlands Prisons. Part-time Roman Catholic Chaplains are attached to Cork, Loughan House and Shelton Abbey.

Chaplains of other Churches, such as the Church of Ireland and Presbyterian Church, attend the prisons on either a part-time or visiting basis as necessary. In addition to offenders from the various Christian Churches, the needs of Muslim prisoners are met by local Muslim religious leaders. Prison Governors are very aware of the importance of religious practice in the life of prisoners and every effort is made to facilitate this to the fullest extent possible within the prison environment.