Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Public Accounts Committee

2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 21 - Prisons

9:00 am

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Driscoll. In regard to the cases about which questions have been asked, how many relate to sexual harassment, if any? How many reviews are under way by the Prison Service or the Department in regard to cases of sexual harassment or other matters or issues that have been raised by whistleblowers? How many investigations are under way?

I am particularly interested in the area of mental health. I do not have much time for my remaining questions. An interesting doctorate carried out by a young man in Trinity College Dublin quoted the prediction of the World Health Organization that the prison system will become the asylums of the 21st century. It seems to me that that is happening. I ask Ms McCaffrey to comment on that. How many prisoners have mental health issues? How many have drug issues?

The Red Cross is involved in a particularly interesting project in regard to non-violence. It is in place in three cities. I ask Ms McCaffrey to provide further information on it and to explain where the funding comes from. Does it come from the Department through the Prison Service? What accountability is in place in that regard? I ask that question of all organisations in receipt of public moneys.

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