Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the very serious reports in this morning's newspapers about overcrowding in the Dóchas women's prison, when will the Fines (Amendment) Bill 2012 come to Committee Stage?

This Bill is vital in providing alternatives to prison for people who have not paid fines.

With regard to the report and recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on penal reform, one of the key recommendations was that prison sentences for non-violent offences should be avoided. If the five recommendations of the report were implemented, we would not be hearing reports about overcrowding in either women's or men's prisons. What is the Government's response on this issue and on the report?

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