377. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of addiction councillors by institution in the IPS, by year in tabular form; the number of vacancies; the number of prisoners by institution classified with addiction issues; and if she feels the current staffing levels are sufficient to adequately deal with the number of prisoners with addition issues. [44118/23]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: The Irish Prison Service provides a health care service for people with addictions on a structured, safe and professional basis in line with international best practice. The Irish Prison Service continues to be committed to, and involved with, the National Drugs Strategy in partnership with community colleagues and organisations.

It is estimated that approximately 70% of prisoners who are committed to custody have difficulties associated with addiction to substances. It is the policy of the Prison Service that, where a person committed to prison gives a history of opiate use and tests positive for opioids, they are offered a medically assisted, symptomatic detoxification, if clinically indicated.

I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service engages Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) to provide a prison-based addiction counselling service across the entire Irish Prison Service estate with the exception of Arbour Hill Prison where there is currently no clinical need for such a service. The addiction counselling service includes structured assessments and evidence-based counselling interventions, with clearly defined treatment plans and goals.

There are currently 5 vacancies which were recently advertised which had a closing date of 6th October, 2023. Interviews have been scheduled and will be completed this week. The majority of the current vacancies are in Cloverhill and Wheatfield Prisons. In order to address this shortfall, MQI are currently working with Cloverhill Prison on a pilot triage model which is planned to commence in November.

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the current number of contracted MQI Addiction Counsellors by institution and the number of vacancies is provided in the table below.