David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy can do so in another way. We are dealing with the Estimates. Policy is a different matter.

Under subhead A4 prison services, the Estimate has been reduced from €40 million to €28 million. This relates to prisoner catering, clothing, bedding, furniture, cleaning and laundry, gratuities, medical supplies, work training and recreation. Do members wish to discuss matters arising under these headings? We will proceed to subhead A5, a new subhead to identify separately fleet management and other operational costs, which were previously contained within other subheads in the Vote. The Estimate is approximately €3 million. As far as I can see there is no change to the educational services Estimate from 2013 to 2014. This provision covers expenditure on each occasion for equipment, appeals and fees, payments to libraries, in-service training, and services from external agencies. Again there is no change in compensation paid to offenders while in custody.