Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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603. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding observations of the UN committee against torture in relation to the death of a person (details supplied); the steps he is taking to ensure appropriate mental health care for prisoners with mental disorders and psycho-socio disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37612/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Prison Service has acknowledged the observations of the UN Committee against Torture in relation to the death of the person referred to by the Deputy. It has confirmed that significant progress has been made to date in addressing the issues and actions arising from the Commission of Investigation into the death of that person.

I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that in-reach mental health services are available in the Dublin and Portlaoise prisons, and Castlerea prison, through collaboration with the Health Service Executive and the National Forensic Mental Health Service [NFMHS] to provide forensic mental health sessions weekly in these prisons.

The Health Service Executive, provides specialist In-reach, Psychiatric services to those in custody in Limerick and Cork prisons. 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 20 prisoners each week awaiting transfer to the Central Mental Hospital, and the NFMHS has acknowledged the challenge of access for prisoners to in-patient treatment beds. It is anticipated that the opening of the new Central Mental Hospital in 2020 will help address capacity issues for prisoners in need of in-patient treatment.

The Health Service Executive has confirmed that approval has been granted for the appointment of a consultant led team to both Limerick and Cork prisons. The Health Service Executive has also advised that arrangements are being finalised for the assignment of a consultant led mental health in-reach team to Castlerea Prison. The National Forensic Mental Health Service also provides an assessment and liaison service for all other prisons where a prisoner requires a forensic assessment, or access to an admission bed in the Central Mental Hospital. Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists are leading these services and can be supported by Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors, Community Psychiatric Nurses, and Social Workers.

The Irish Prison Service, in collaboration with the National Forensic Mental Health Service, has established two dedicated areas where high support is provided to vulnerable prisoners with mental illness; D2 wing in Cloverhill Prison (for remand prisoners), and the High Support Unit in Mountjoy (for sentenced prisoners). Both units provide a dedicated area within the prison where mentally ill and vulnerable prisoners, who present with a risk of harm to self or to others, can be separated from the general prison population and closely monitored in a safer environment.

A Psychiatric In-reach and Court Liaison Service is delivered by the Health Service Executive/NFMHS at Cloverhill Prison. The diversion service ensures, as far as possible, that those people presenting before the courts, or indeed at an earlier stage of the criminal justice system where the infraction is a reflection of an underlying mental illness, are referred and treated appropriately. This approach has reduced the number of mentally ill people committed to prison.

The Irish Prison Service has developed a bespoke mental health training programme for staff, which is currently being delivered to all staff. In addition, all persons in custody in closed prisons have access to the Samaritans Listeners Scheme.

The IPS Psychology Service plays a key role in the provision of mental health services for people in custody. In conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team the Psychology Service provides various evidence-based primary, secondary and tertiary care talking therapies for people in custody who experience mental health difficulties.

The Irish Prison Service is in the process of further developing the Psychology Service in order to better meet the mental health needs of those in custody.