830. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding a review carried out into the Irish prison system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39972/26]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: There are a number of reviews and assessments that have been carried out, and reports published, in recent years relating to the operation of various aspects of the prison system. For ease of reference I have listed them below for the Deputy.

Prison Overcrowding Risk Assessment Taskforce

The Prison Overcrowding Risk Assessment Taskforce was established in 2024 by the Irish Prison Service Director General following a recommendation from the State Claims Agency (SCA). The SCA chaired the Taskforce and provided technical support, convening a series of focused workshops to identify risks, map existing controls, and determine additional short, medium and long-term measures needed to further mitigate prison overcrowding. This final risk assessment was forwarded to my Department and the Irish Prison Service in November 2025. The risk assessment sets out key recommendations across a range of thematic areas.

Future Prison Capacity Working Group Report

In response to the ongoing issue of overcrowding in the Irish prison system, the Future Prison Capacity Working Group was established in July 2024 to further consider future prison capacity needs and to make recommendations on the numbers and types of prison capacity needed out to 2035. The purpose of the FPCWG was to assess the future needs and develop a prison building programme that delivers adequate capacity, while also ensuring a modern and fit for purpose prison estate that is humane, safe and secure and which provides the most effective supports for the rehabilitation of offenders, and ensuring alignment with evolving legislative, demographic and societal trends. The Minister brought the report of the group to Cabinet for the Information of Government on 4 June 2025, and the report was published on 4 July 2025.

Review of Personal Protective Equipment

A Personal Protective Equipment review group was established in 2024 to conduct a fresh review of the requirement for Personal Protective Equipment for operational staff in light of the challenges and dangers posed by overcrowding.

Chaplains review

The Irish Prison Service undertook a review of the Chaplaincy Services in January 2024 in order to provide an independent perspective on the Chaplaincy service and to recommend changes to the service where appropriate. A formal review of the Chaplaincy was conducted by a research consortium from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, and the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, Dublin and concluded in March 2025.

Review of Assaults on Operational Prison Staff by Prisoners

In 2015, following a number of violent physical assaults on Irish Prison Service staff by prisoners, the State Claims Agency, in their risk management capacity, conducted a “Review of Assaults on Operational Prison Staff by Prisoners”. The report made a series of recommendations, not just on weapons and protective equipment for operational prison staff but also to address prisoner issues such as mental health, risk assessment, etc.

Committee on the Prevention of Torture Report

The Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT) published their report on their periodic visit in May 2024, and responses were returned by Ireland in July 2025 in respect of the issues raised by the Committee.

"New Connections" Embedding Psychology Services and Practice in the Irish Prison Service

This report was commissioned by Mr. Michael Donnellan Director General, Irish Prison Service in 2015 and published by Professor Frank Porporino. The scope was to review of the Psychological services in the IPS (both current status and future potential).

There are also a number of published reports in relation to health and mental health in prisons including the Irish Prison Service Strategy 2023 – 2027, the Irish Prison Service Drugs Strategy 2023 – 2026, the 2020 Report from the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the High Level Taskforce on the mental health and addiction challenges of persons interacting with the criminal justice system (2022), the Health Needs Analysis (2022), Health Needs Assessment (2022), Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone (2020 – 2030), the Inspector of Prisons Thematic Inspection Report on the Provision of Psychiatric Care in the Irish Prison System (2023), Connecting for Life: Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015 – 2024, the HSE Model of Care for People with Mental Disorder and Co-existing Substance Use Disorder (Dual Diagnosis; 2023) and the National Drug Strategy.