Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1236. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of chaplains working in the Irish Prison Service. [1020/22]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1239. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of whole-time and part-time chaplains in the Irish Prison Service, An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service; and the amount expended on chaplaincy services by each organisation in each of the past ten years to date. [1054/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1236 and 1239 together.

The Irish Prison Service’s Chaplaincy Service is an essential support for the whole prison community including prisoners, prison staff and families of prisoners. It offers a one-to-one support system and arranges bereavement support groups, counselling and courses in consultation with other services, and addresses the physical, social and spiritual needs of prisoners in a holistic way.

An Garda Síochána has 2 chaplains who are part-time. The Courts Service does not have a chaplaincy service.

The number of whole-time and part-time chaplains in the Irish Prison Service, An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service, and the amount expended on chaplaincy services by each organisation in each of the past ten years to date is set out in tabular form below.