Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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298. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the protocols in place to support neurodiverse prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60746/25]

Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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299. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Irish Prison Service collects or has data on the neurodiverse prisoner population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60747/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together.

I would like to assure the deputy, that the Irish Prison Service recognises the importance of supporting neurodiverse people.

Everyone committed to the care of the Irish Prison Service has both a nursing and medical assessment completed within two and 24 hours respectively. These assessments highlight and initiate further services that may be required to ensure relevant supports are put in place for the individual. Furthermore, the Prison Service Psychology Service arrange to assess, diagnose and can work with neurodiverse people in custody.

The Irish Prison Service do not currently have figures in relation to the number of neurodivergent people in custody. However, they note an increase in the volume of assessments in recent years and the need for prevalence data. I am pleased to say that neurodiversity is included within the plan for a Mental Health Needs Analysis, as recommended under 'Sharing the Vision'. The tender process for a large-scale prevalence study is underway, supported by the Irish Prison Service, HSE and Probation Service.

In recognition of the importance of supporting neurodiverse people in custody, the Irish Prison Service provided input to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s 'National Disability Strategy', and the 'National Autism Innovation Strategy'. The Irish Prison Service will continue to consult and collaborate on these strategies and other relevant strategies as appropriate.

Further, the Irish Prison Service is engaging with the National Disability Authority, AsIAm, University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin on the development of prison autism accreditation standards, similar to other jurisdictions. This important work includes the development of standards for supporting autistic people in custody, as well as autistic visitors to prisons. A national steering group is in place to guide this work. A further steering group in the area of ADHD is currently being developed and will oversee assessment, diagnosis and ongoing care in custody for people with ADHD.

Neurodiversity workshops have been developed and are delivered to Recruit Prison Officers as part of their training programme. The development of neurodiversity friendly visiting spaces, has been supported by consultation between AsIAm and Wheatfield Prison.

Finally, the Irish Prison Service has supported Senator Lynn Ruane on a project related to the support of neurodiverse young people in custody.