Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his response. His colleagues, the two Ministers of State, have been very helpful in dealing with any queries and issues I have with the Department. I thank the Minister for his work since he came in, as well as his diligence, especially on this key issue. When people commit offences we need to ensure there are places for them, but we also need to ensure there is outreach and that when people come out of our prisons they are fully back in as members of our society. As I said, the question I ask pertained specifically to the increase in population and the need for prison spaces in line with that. I do not think anybody would say that would not be required. As the Minister has set out, our national development plan, which is our plan for the country, deals with that. The number of spaces that are to be there by 2031 is 1,595 and I fully welcome that.

See this speech in context