Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While not being able to respond to any individual case, there are a significant number of compassionate leave cases for medical reasons and, obviously, genuine recommendations are made by the Prison Service as to whether or not security is needed. There is a very clear process that has to be undertaken, and that is adhered to. However, there are compassionate grounds for many prisoners and they generally centre around hospital visits or appointments, visiting family members, funerals and various significant events like that.