Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can advise the Deputy that I hope to bring my proposals to Government for the drafting of a Bill to establish the Irish Prison Service on a statutory basis with new and enhanced governance and accountability structures shortly. In fact, I hope to bring it to Cabinet in approximately two weeks. This follows Government approval in June 2022 to prepare the general scheme of such a Bill. A safe, secure and progressive prison system is a cornerstone of any well-functioning democracy. The legislative proposals that I will be bringing to Government recognise the critical importance of the Prison Service in the justice system and the need to endow it with the legal status and structures that befit an agency of such size and significance. The general scheme I am bringing to Government will cement the position of the Prison Service as a State body with defined functions.

It will provide it with best practice governance supports, and set out clear lines of authority and accountability for the management of the prison system. This includes establishing the position of director general of the Prison Service as a statutory office with formal authority and accountability to match the responsibilities of the role. Without wishing to pre-empt any Government decision, I can say that my proposals will provide for the designation of the director general as the accounting officer for the prisons Vote and as the appropriate authority for its staff within the meaning of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 2005.

I can also advise that in line with the mandate received from the Government last year, the proposed scheme will provide for the establishment of an independent non-executive board to provide the Prison Service with guidance, scrutiny and ongoing monitoring in matters of internal governance and the development and implementation of corporate strategy. The proposed scheme will also provide for the establishment of a dedicated audit committee and other expert committees as required.

The scheme will expressly preserve the overall authority of the Minister for Justice in matters of strategy and policy, including prison numbers. The provision of prison capacity and related decisions on capital investment will remain firmly as matters for decision by the Minister and the Government.

The new structures to be proposed under the scheme will ensure that the Prison Service has the benefit of expert guidance and oversight in implementing the Government’s penal policy reform programme, in managing capital projects and in ensuring the highest standards of governance and accountability in the prison system. This will complement the primarily human rights-focused oversight already provided by external entities.

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