Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners who sought drug counselling services to date in 2019; the percentage who were given access to those services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44150/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Prison Service has informed me that there are a range of programmes, support services and through-care options for prisoners who wish to address their substance misuse.  I am further informed that the Irish Prison Service engages Merchants Quay Ireland to provide a prison-based addiction counselling service. This include structured assessments and evidence-based counselling interventions, with clearly-defined treatment plans and goals. 

The counselling service provides a range of counselling and intervention skills related to substance misuse and dependency.  These skills include motivational interviewing, motivational enhancement therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and harm reduction approaches.

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of prisoners that have sought drug counselling services to date in 2019 is 1,570.

I am further informed that the percentage of prisoners that were given access to those services to date is 86%.  The remaining 14% are on a waiting list for a consultation with a Merchants Quay Ireland counsellor.