Results 4,541-4,560 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Despite the Leas-Cheann Comhairle quickening me up.

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: No.

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: No, it is not. In 2004, some 294 prisoners were released at Christmas, while in 2005, some 280 were released. The figure for 2006 was 230, while it was 138 for 2007. For 2008, it was 107 and for 2009 it was 174. The figures are reducing. Last Christmas, the number we released was just over half of what was released at Christmas 2004.

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: This has nothing to do with July.

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am giving figures for Christmas and in 2004 we released 294 prisoners and in 2009 we released 174.

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I do not, actually.

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I cannot give the figure for 31 December 2009 but the overall figure for 2009 is approximately 12%, which I must say----

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I know the Deputy hates being reminded of it-----

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----but it is going to come whether he likes it or not if I get the figures for when he was in office-----

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The figure for temporary release in 1994, when I think the Deputy was in Government if he can remember back that far-----

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----was 22% and I remind the Deputy that today it is 12%. In 1995, it was 20%, while in 1996 it was 17%-----

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In 1997 it was 19%. In every year Deputy Rabbitte was in office the figure was way higher than it is today.

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I remember.

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I must disappoint the Deputy; they have been seen since as they are back in custody.

Temporary Release of Prisoners. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is a bit like the promotions issue; the Deputy obviously does not read the newspapers.

Prison Drug Treatment Services. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Over the past ten years, there has been a significant stepping up of prison drug rehabilitation programmes with the objective of seeking to reduce demand for drugs within the prison system through education, treatment and rehabilitation services for drug-related prisoners. Particular initiatives include the provision of detoxification, methadone maintenance, education programmes, addiction...

Prison Drug Treatment Services. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Throughout the prison estate, 90 workshops deal with more than 800 prisoners daily.

Prison Drug Treatment Services. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: These workshops provide employment training and education. It is a sad fact of Irish society that a large proportion of those who enter our prisons have drug problems. They have to be dealt with as humanely as possible while they are in prison. It is fair to say they get the same, if not better, rehabilitation treatment within the prison as they would get outside. Serious efforts are also...

Prison Drug Treatment Services. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: My experience of the prisons I have visited is that stringent security arrangements are deployed to prevent drug smuggling. The body orifice security scanning chair and other scanning devices are extremely sensitive to drugs and mobile telephones. The Deputy probably visited the newer parts of Midlands Prisons but significant investments have also been made on improving security in older...

Prison Drug Treatment Services. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I would leave such decisions to Irish Prison Service officials because they are the experts in this area. We endeavour to ensure that prisoners do not lose all contact with outside life and that visits are conducted in as humane a manner as possible. The latest arrangements in Midlands Prison have resulted in a sophisticated operation which prevents smuggling even while keeping visits...