Written answers
Wednesday, 21 April 2021
Department of Justice and Equality
Prison Mental Health Services
Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1438. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of psychologists and psychiatrists employed in each prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19504/21]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that, as of 14 April 2021, the total number of permanent Psychologists employed by the Irish Prison Service stands at 30.
A breakdown by location is set out in Table 1.
Psychologist by location
Location | Staff numbers | Staff numbers | Staff numbers |
---|---|---|---|
Arbour Hill – HQ Longford | 1 Head of Psychological Services | ||
Arbour Hill Psychology HQ | 1 Psychologist Principal Manager | ||
Cork | 1 Senior Psychologist | 1 Staff Grade Psychologist | 1 Assistant Psychologist |
Castlerea | 1 Senior Psychologist | 1 Staff Grade Psychologist | 1 Assistant Psychologist |
Cloverhill | 1 Senior Psychologist | Staff Grade Psychologist - vacant | 1 Assistant Psychologist |
Mountjoy | 1 Senior Psychologist | 3 Staff Grade Psychologist | 2 Assistant Psychologist |
Dóchas | 1 Senior Psychologist | Staff Grade Psychologist - vacant | 1 Assistant Psychologist |
Portlaoise | 1 Senior Psychologist | Staff Grade Psychologist – vacant | 1 Assistant Psychologist |
Midlands | 1 Senior Psychologist | 2 Staff Grade Psychologist | 2 Assistant Psychologist |
NVRU | 1 Senior Psychologist | Staff Grade Psychologist - vacant | |
Wheatfield | Senior Psychologist - vacant | 1 Staff Grade Psychologist | 1 Assistant Psychologist |
Limerick | Senior Psychologist - vacant | Staff Grade Psychologist - vacant | 1 Assistant Psychologist |
Arbour Hill | Senior Psychologist - vacant | Staff Grade Psychologist - vacant | 1 Assistant Psychologist |
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that they continually monitor the staffing requirements and vacancies that arise as a result of multiple factors including promotions and retirements. The Prison Service recruit and hold internal promotional competitions on an ongoing basis to fill vacancies at all levels of the organisation as they arise. Currently the Irish Prison Service is filling vacancies for Assistant Psychologists, Staff Grade Psychologists and Senior Psychologists.
There are currently no Psychiatrists employed directly by the Service. Prison Psychiatry services are provided by the National Forensic Mental Health Service by agreement with the HSE.
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