Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the importance of the role of the Inspector of Prisons. In particular, I welcome the appointment of the new inspector, Ms Patricia Gilheaney. I am concerned to ensure that her office is in a position to run effectively and efficiently. In fact, I intend meeting her in the next couple of weeks in order to discuss many of the issues that have been raised here.

On the matter of the report she has recently undertaken, I have received a copy and have forwarded it to the Attorney General which is the normal practice with such reports. I will make a decision regarding publication once I receive a copy from the Attorney General. The Inspector of Prisons was provided with a level of resources in order to ensure that the report could be carried out within a particular timeframe. The budget for the office of the Inspector of Prisons in 2018 was €391,000, this year the Revised Estimate is €496,000, an increase of €100,000.

There was an increase in the Supplementary Estimate presented at the end of last year in the order of €172,000. I accept the Deputy's point that the Office of the Inspector of Prisons does need to be resourced. As I said, I have arranged to meet the inspector. The meeting with Ms Gilheaney will take place shortly.