Written answers

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Department of Justice and Equality

Prison Mental Health Services

Photo of Mark WardMark 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]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen 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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