Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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633. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of people in prison who were on waiting lists to access psychology services, as of June 2025, by days waiting list, by prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37306/25]

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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634. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline mental health waiting lists within prisons, for a breakdown of these across prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37307/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 634 together.

The Irish Prison Service Psychology Service has 40.4 authorised posts and 14 Assistant Psychologists posts.

In 2024, a total of 3,990 referrals were made to this service for assessment and or intervention.

As of the end of May 2025, the number of people in custody waiting to see a psychologist was approximately 2,100.

I have been advised that information on the wait list broken down by days and per prison is not readily available. Such an examination would require a manual examination of records, which current resourcing does not permit.

I have been given the following data, which may be of assistance.

During the first five months of 2025, 319 people were seen for triage by a psychologist. Of this, 133 people were seen within 12 weeks, 68 people were seen within 12-24 weeks and 118 people waited over 24 weeks to be seen.

Similarly, for the first five months of 2025, 309 people were seen by a psychologist specifically for a mental health intervention. Of this, 73 people were seen within 12 weeks, 43 people were seen within 12-24 weeks and 193 people waited over 24 weeks to be seen.

Finally, 489 people were seen by a psychologist for reasons other than mental health such as for workshops, comprehensive assessments, specific interventions for young people, or offence focused work. Of these, 387 people were seen within 12 weeks, 17 people were seen within 12-24 weeks and 85 people waited over 24 weeks to be seen.