608. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will request the Irish Prison Service to carry out a review and updating of its current drugs strategy which dates from 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27999/22] 

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: The issue of drug use continues to be a major challenge facing prisons systems across the globe.  Large proportions of the people who enter the criminal justice system and prison have a history of drug use. A 2014 study for the World Health Organisation estimated that half the prison population of the EU had a history of drug use and many of these people continue to use drugs while they are in prison. 

Addiction is a societal problem and a major contributory factor in criminality and as a consequence, everyday life in many Irish prisons is impacted by drug-related issues. There is an over-representation of drug users in Irish prisons and prisoners have higher rates of lifetime drug use and problematic drug use compared with the general population. 

Moreover prisons are an important component of the overall response to drug problems in Irish society. The scale of the activity and commitment of prison staff and other in-reach service providers in tackling this issue should be recognised. The prison environment provides a unique opportunity to support individuals to address addiction and in this regard it is essential that the range of treatment and intervention options available ensure the best possibility of a positive outcome. 

Among the ways the Prison Service aims to support prisoners in maintaining drug free lives is by tackling the trafficking of contraband into prisons, including the smuggling of illegal drugs, thereby reducing supply. This is done alongside initiatives to reduce demand for drugs through the provision of drug treatment and addiction services to prisoners.  

In 2020, prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Prison Service had completed an initial review of the 2006 Drugs Policy with a view to developing a new Drugs Policy. The finalising of the new Policy was delayed due to the challenges presented to the Service in managing Covid. I am advised by my officials in the Prison Service that the work on the drafting of a new policy has recommenced with a view to publishing later this year. 

The Prison Service has recently established a Steering Group to review the current Drug Treatment Programme and, if necessary, propose to revise this programme to ensure it is contemporaneous and in line with the goals of the National Drugs Strategy Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017 - 2025. This includes the provision of treatment, rehabilitation, recovery, education, information and support, so that those affected by substance misuse are empowered to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life. 

In addition, the Prison Service continues to work to enhance and improve its level of medical service delivery to prisoners.  The Service has embarked on a comprehensive Health Needs Assessment to examine the broad range of health care services that are provided across the entire prison estate. Addiction and substance misuse were among the issues examined by the review. 

Last April, together with the Minister for Health and Ministers of State Frank Feighan and Mary Butler, I established a High Level Taskforce to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of persons interacting with the criminal justice system. In recognition of the need for a cross-Government approach to meeting the complex needs of such people, the Taskforce comprises representatives from a wide cross-section of health agencies, the justice sector and other relevant stakeholders. The Taskforce is independently chaired by former Minister of State Kathleen Lynch and I am pleased to report that work on the Taskforce has been progressing at pace since it was established in April of last year. The Taskforce has already had ten plenary meetings and has established three subgroups on diversion; capacity issues in the Prison Service and National Forensic Mental Health Services; and community issues, including care after release. 

The subgroups comprises of relevant experts, chaired by high ranking officials from the criminal justice sector, with the health leads represented and contributing to all. Each of these groups have met on at least twelve occasions. The Taskforce has engaged with a large number of relevant bodies and civil society actors and it submitted an interim report to myself and the Minister for Health on 22 November 2021. I understand that the work of the Taskforce is nearing completion and a first draft of the final report is under consideration by the Taskforce. I expect to receive the final report and high level implementation plan for their recommendations in the coming weeks.