Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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347. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 365 of 24 June 2021, the number of category A complaints from the Dóchas centre over the past three years to date which were not sustained due to no reasonable grounds in accordance with section 57B (10) (b) of the Prison Rules 2007; the number of category A complaints from the Dóchas centre over the past three years to date where it was not possible to make a determination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35586/21]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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348. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 365 of 24 June 2021, the number of category A complaints received from prisoners within the Dóchas centre over the past three years to date which were deemed vexatious, without foundation or falling outside the scope for investigation in accordance with section 57B(5)(b) of the Prison Rules 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35587/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

Two complaints from 2019 are still under investigation, as the onset of the COVID pandemic prevented Complaint Investigators from entering the prisons.

I am also informed that the complaint for 2021 is still undergoing an investigation process.

The Deputy may wish to be aware that work is continuing on the completion of the necessary actions to introduce the new Prisoner Complaints System. This includes the drafting of the Statutory Instrument and the roll out of necessary training for Irish Prison Service staff. While there is currently no mechanism in place to appeal an outcome of a complaint, this facility will be available for prisoners in the new complaints process.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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349. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she can provide detailed information in respect of the treatment of prisoners within the clinic setting in the prison for dealing with hepatitis C and infectious diseases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35594/21]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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350. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will work with the Department of Health, the HSE and the Irish Prison Service to put in place a comprehensive programme within each prison for the treatment of prisoners who have hepatitis C or any other infectious disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35595/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together.

All prisoners committed to prison are subject to a comprehensive medical assessment by the Prison Healthcare Team and Hepatitis C screening is offered to all new prisoners as part of this assessment. Prisoners can also request Hepatitis C screening through their local Prison Healthcare Team at any stage of their time in custody. All prisoners who are actively engaged with addiction services are routinely screened as per the advice of the Addiction Counsellor/Clinical Addiction Team.

The information received as part of this process is recorded on the prisoner’s individual medical record on the Prison Healthcare Management System and provides prison healthcare management with significant medical information on the prisoners in their care and allows for the development of an individual healthcare plan for the prisoner while in custody. Medical treatment is provided, if clinically indicated, including treatment for Hepatitis C. At present, this treatment is available to those who are identified as requiring it and is arranged by Prison Healthcare Staff supported by specialist colleagues from the Acute Hospital Sector.

While medical information, including details of the results of Hepatitis C screening, is held on the individual prisoner record, the system does not allow for centralised reporting of a particular medical condition. Steps are being taken to review how this data is compiled and the aim of the Prison Service is to have this completed by the end of 2022.

In 2017, the Irish Prison Service partnered with an EU project (HepCare Europe) to enhance screening for populations at risk of Hepatitis C infection, and specifically implemented an enhanced Hepatitis C screening programme at Mountjoy Prison in collaboration with the Mater Hospital. The initiative aimed to improve access to, and effectiveness of, Hepatitis C treatment and to support patients through treatment. The programme consisted of an initial nurse-led screening programme. A total of 422 (78% of the study population) participated in the study.

This study reported that approximately one in five prisoners had evidence of a previous infection and that the main risk for Hepatitis C infection was intra-venous drug use. Once detected, patients with Hepatitis C infection were offered treatment with new direct-acting antivirals as this can reduce their viral load dramatically as well as the risk of secondary infections, extent of liver damage and the need for liver transplantation.

The reporting of Hepatitis C infection in prisoners in this way allows for the estimation of the true levels of active Hepatitis C infection, the monitoring of treatment outcomes and rates of re-infection. Identifying risk factors for Hepatitis C infection allows for targeted prevention, screening and treatment strategies. Combined they allow for the informed planning and implementation of national and international Hepatitis C strategies.

The Prison Service is continuing its engagement with the HSE and developing plans for the implementation of a GP led community model of care for the screening and management of Hepatitis C across the prison estate, in line with the National Hepatitis C Strategy.