Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It would be inappropriate of the committee not to note the €452.7 million increase in this particular Vote. Within that is a 975%, a 681% and a 788.9% increase in three headings, which are domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, for non-agency and the actual establishment of the agency itself, and the Irish passenger information unit, the IPIU. Obviously the first two are incredibly important and the establishment of that agency should be noted by the committee. I cannot say that I am familiar with the latter part and perhaps the Minister will familiarise me with that.

I wish to go back to the point I was making about doubling up in prisons. The Minister mentioned approximately 500 prisoners who were over and above the capacity of the Prison Service and doubling up on beds with mattresses. The Minister's plan or the plan of the Department is to deliver some 600 additional spaces. Taking into consideration the rising population, which I do not believe is going to stop anytime soon, and taking into consideration the pretty significant increase in budgets being provided to the Probation Service and the community service schemes, I wonder whether the 600 spaces the Minister mentioned for expansion of capacity of existing prisons would be sufficient. This is coupled with the absolute need for this State to recognise that custodial sentences are not always the answer. Further investment in the community service order scheme to the magnitude that is listed in this particular Vote is extremely important. Again, I am merely in the Chair temporarily and the members will understand but I believe it is a matter we should revisit as a committee. Perhaps the Minister will make a comment on that particular point.

Will the Minister outline to the committee the whereabouts or the status of the inspection of places of detention Bill, a matter which I believe is related to this head. I am aware that it has been prioritised by the Government and is due to be published soon. Perhaps the Minister will offer a comment on that as well.