500. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons incarcerated in Ireland currently for cannabis-related offences, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/23] 

Simon Harris, Minister for Justice: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that it is not possible to provide complete statistics for people in custody specifically for cannabis-related offences, as the recording of controlled drugs offences does not always specify the type of substance. 

On 30 April 2023, there were 16 individuals in custody whose most serious offence was specifically categorised as a cannabis-related offence. 

On the same date, an additional 482 individuals were in custody whose most serious offence was categorised as a controlled drug offence, where the substance is not specified.