Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1237. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of counsellors or psychologists currently working in the Irish Prison Service. [1021/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In order to address the urgent health care needs with the Prison system, Budget 2022 has committed to the provision of over €2 million in additional funding for these services.

This includes just over €1 million for psychologists and specialist mental health nurses in prisons who can work with prisoners to address mental health issues for all categories of offender.

At present there are a total of thirty-four psychologists working with the Irish Prison Service, on a permanent or locum basis, including;

- eight Senior Psychologists,

- thirteen Staff Grade Psychologists

- and thirteen Assistant Psychologists (unqualified grade). 

There are two vacant Senior Psychologist posts and three vacant Staff Grade posts (not covered by locum posts). 

I can further advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service do not employ counsellors directly.  The Irish Prison Service engages the services of Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) to provide twenty Addiction Counsellors across the Estate.  They operate in all prisons except Arbour Hill as, given the prisoner profile, there is minimal demand required for drug addiction counselling services at that location.