Written answers

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Mental Health Services Data

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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156. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons currently waiting for places at the Central Mental Hospital; the average waiting time for a person to be transferred to the Central Mental Hospital; the provision for persons whose medication cannot be administered within the prison system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35176/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the Irish Prison Service has access to a limited number of places in the Central Mental Hospital for prisoners who require residential mental health treatment. There is currently an average of 15 to 20 prisoners each week awaiting transfer to the Central Mental Hospital. The average waiting time for a patient who is awaiting transfer varies on an ongoing basis and is determined by the number of patients who are awaiting transfer, and the number of beds available in the Central Mental Hospital at any given time.

The Irish Prison Service continues to liaise with its colleagues in the Central Mental Hospital regarding the transfer of patients to its care, and the transfer of each patient is facilitated as soon as possible in all cases. All drugs that are prescribed for the treatment of persons in custody are available to be administered to those patients in the care of the Irish Prison Service.

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