Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this debate. Every year, a significant number of people end up in prison as a result of fines default. I understand that in 2012 more than 8,000 people, including almost 1,700 females, were committed to prison for fines default. This practice creates significant costs for the taxpayer and places considerable strain on the prison system. It also creates difficulties for families, family life and communities.

Probably the most disturbing element is that 80% or more of people who go to prison for fine default end up back in prison in the following four years. It indicates that the system of imprisoning people for fines default is counterproductive in every way. It is damaging and ineffective. People find themselves in what is effectively a university of crime and consequently find themselves back in prison within four years.

Much of the comment on the Bill relates to the payment of fines by instalment. However, the first option for judges in these cases should be community service orders, which would ensure there is a punishment and also that the community and the individual would benefit from the situation that has arisen. That should be the first option and every effort should be made to ensure that community service orders are handed down rather than fines, attachment orders or imprisonment.

Up to now many people end up in prison for a period of time. Some people are taken to prison by public transport or Garda transport and with an hour or two are taken back home on public transport. Obviously it is a system that is not working, and is costly, ineffective and damaging.

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