Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that, upon committal, all prisoners undergo a committal assessment. This is conducted by the Healthcare staff, covers a wide range of health issues and is specifically designed to provide the Prison Service with a full understanding of an individual’s health, medical and mental health needs.

The nursing committal assessment takes places on the day of committal and prisoners also receive a doctor assessment at the next available clinic which will usually be the morning after committal. The doctor will undertake a full clinical assessment, diagnose as appropriate and plan treatment for all medical conditions, prescribe as appropriate and refer to hospitals for urgent specialist treatment.

Prisoners will also meet with the Integrated Sentence Management team to discuss any lifestyle issues or social care requirements which the prisoner feels may be relevant to their time in custody.

In 2021, 6,133 committal assessments were conducted and, to the end of June 2022, a total of 3,672 committal assessments were conducted. It is important to note that the 2022 figures are currently provisional figures and may be subject to adjustment pending publication of the Irish Prison Service Annual Report for 2022.