423. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons served with the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 in the State where a declaration was made to the courts as having an official diagnosis of a disability or health condition under categories (details supplied), in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52443/23]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: The Probation Service does not collect the disability details of clients in the format requested by the Deputy. However, to be of assistance, I can advise the Deputy that in 2021, the Probation Service published "Moving Forward Together: Mental Health Among Persons Supervised by the Probation Service". This report is available on the Probation Service website.

The key findings of this report note that:

• 43% of people subject to Probation Supervision experience active symptoms of mental health problems (57% women; 40% men)
• Most often anxiety and depressive symptomatology
• 10% experience symptoms indicative of serious and/or severe and enduring mental health problems
• 41% are identified as having a known mental health diagnosis provided by a qualified clinician (52% women; 38% men)
• 16% anxiety disorder and 15% mood disorder
• 8% schizophrenia/primary psychotic disorder
• 4% personality disorder and related traits

Further, in 2021, the Probation Service also published "Informing and Supporting Change: Drug and Alcohol Misuse among People on Probation Supervision in Ireland". This report is also available on the Probation Service website.

The key findings of this report note that in relation to:

Alcohol Misuse

• 64% of the sample had misused alcohol
• Binge drinking (44%) was the most prevalent type of alcohol misuse behaviour reported
• Alcohol Dependency (18%)
• 53% of the population were reported as having a direct link between alcohol use and their current offence

Drug Misuse

• 67% were reported as having misused drugs – three times the prevalence level reported among the general public
• Cannabis (84%) was the most common substance used – (Benzos 55%, Cocaine 48%, Heroin 41%)
• 48% of the population were reported as linking their drug misuse to their current offence
• Males were more likely to misuse Cocaine, Ecstasy, and Cannabis. Females were more likely to misuse Heroin
• When compared to men, women reported higher rates of drug misuse only across all age profiles, except for the age category 12-24 years

Drug and Alcohol Misuse

• 81% reported as having misused drugs and/or alcohol
• Gateway Substances: Alcohol (57%) and Cannabis (51%)
• Highest level of misuse was reported among those aged between 25-34 years (61%)

I can also advise the Deputy that all Probation Officers are trained in how to respond to the unique needs of the client. The Probation Service uses the Risk-Needs-Responsivity principle which tailors the response to each individual client. This enables Probation Officers to recognise and overcome any barriers that the client may have in engaging with Probation supervision, including physical, mental, sensory or intellectual health issues.

The Probation Service also assists people on probation supervision in identifying, supporting and responding effectively to substance misuse issues. This is reflected in its direct interventions, through motivational engagement, targeted programmes and appropriate referral. The Probation Service’s commitment to address substance misuse is echoed in interagency work with other statutory, community and voluntary organisations.

In addition, the Probation Service continues to provide significant funding each year to support a range of community based organisations across Ireland, which support the individual needs of their service users on their desistance journey.