Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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490. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 186 of 14 January 2021, the length of time the senior psychologist positions have been vacant in prisons (details supplied); the provisions in place in the meantime to continue services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23239/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a review of the Psychology Service was undertaken in 2015 by Dr Frank Porporino, an international expert in prison mental health.

Since this review was commissioned, there has been a significant transformation in psychological services provided to people in custody which has included an increase in psychologist posts and a more balanced regional approach to the allocation of services. Progress continues to be made in relation to the recruitment of psychologists with the aim of achieving a ratio of 1 Psychologist to 150 people in custody.

At the current time there are no vacant Senior Psychologist posts in the Irish Prison Service. A recent recruitment campaign was successful in recruiting a Senior Psychologist for Limerick Prison. This is a new post. Until the post holder takes up this position, Limerick Prison Psychology Service continues to be overseen by the Senior Psychologist in Cork Prison, which has been the practice for many years.

The Senior Psychologist in Midlands Prison is currently on maternity leave and this post is being covered by the Principal Psychologist and Head of Psychological Services until a locum Psychologist is recruited. This position has been advertised.

Wheatfield and Arbour Hill Prisons are overseen by a Senior Psychologist at 0.6 and 0.4 whole time equivalent respectively. In relation to Staff Grade Psychologist posts, there are no vacancies in Cloverhill, Dochas, National Violence Reduction Unit in the Midlands and Arbour Hill Prisons. Each Prison has an assigned Staff Grade Psychologist on a full time basis.

Portlaoise Prison has had a vacant Staff Grade Psychologist post for two months and this post will be filled in the coming months following a recent recruitment campaign.

Finally, Limerick Prison has a full time locum Staff Grade Psychologist.