A new telemedicine service for prisons is set to be established in the final quarter of this year.
In September 2025, the Medical Independent (MI) reported that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) was examining the possible development of telemedicine services for the sector.
At the time, a Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration spokesperson said the IPS and the HSE had held meetings to discuss relevant care pathways.
They had also discussed possible “models of in-reach care and telemedicine appointments” that may assist prisoners with chronic conditions.
An IPS spokesperson confirmed to MI that the final quarter of this year is now the target timeframe for establishing a telemedicine service in collaboration with the HSE.
“Initial planning meetings have commenced,” they added.
The service is expected to be introduced on a phased basis, beginning with Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon before being extended to other prisons. There are currently 13 operational prisons across the IPS estate.
The planned service was raised at a meeting of the health needs assessment steering committee in June. The committee oversees the implementation of recommendations from the IPS health needs assessment, which was published in 2023.
According to minutes, representatives of the HSE enhanced community care service visited Castlerea Prison during the summer to discuss the service. It was further noted that the funding model for the service had been agreed.
According to the IPS website, “care and rehabilitation of people in custody” is a core aim of the Service.
“This is done by supporting the person’s rehabilitation, including health and wellbeing, preparing them for a life back in the community where they prosper and do more harm, and at the same time holding people to account by supporting them to take responsibility for the harm they have caused victims and their families.”
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