Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

On the number of people in our prisons, do I get the impression that there is an inexorable rise in the number of people going to prison, which impacts on lowering the average cost? Is it a cause of concern to the Minister that these figures appear to be increasing and what steps, if any, are being taken - I accept the Fines Act was introduced but I do not know how operational it is - from the point of ensuring that minor offenders are not sent to prison, in particular in respect of non-payment of minor fines such as having no television licence and so on?

Perhaps the Minister would update the House on other proposals in this area. Does the Government propose to progress the disastrous Thornton Hall project, in regard to which €30 million was wasted on the purchase of land worth approximately €5 million or €6 million at the time and which may now only be worth half that amount? Is that project on hold or is this to be more money down the drain?

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