58. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost for the provision of drugs to prisoners in the prison system; the way such drugs are provided to prisoners; if her attention has been drawn to any abuses of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29841/16]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the total expenditure on pharmaceuticals (including all medicines, and methadone) in 2015 was €2,697,163.

Professional General Pharmacy Services are provided in all prisons on the basis of a contract with a local community pharmacy, and both the technical (supply) and professional (pharmaceutical care) elements of pharmacy service provision are provided as part of agreed contracts. This ensures that an up-to-date, patient centred pharmacy service which complies with all professional and ethical standards is provided to all prisons.