John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Deputy Ahern, who is unable to be here owing to circumstances beyond his control. I thank Senators who contributed to this debate last week and today.

Last week, the Minister set out the range of measures being taken in the prison system. I reiterate that there are no easy or quick-fix solutions that can be brought in overnight to deal with prisons issues. The Government is working to tackle the issue across a number of fronts, including more prison spaces, badly needed investment despite our current economic circumstances, the introduction of legislative solutions such as contained in the Fines Act, the Minister's proposals approved at Cabinet this week to draft a Bill to amend the community service order legislation to ensure judges consider imposing a CSO in circumstances where a custodial sentence of up to six months might be contemplated, and use of probation and welfare service resources to work with offenders in the community to reduce re-offending and promote community safety, working alongside the Garda Síochána in local communities. The Minister's concern is public protection and safety, which must be borne in mind at all times during our discussions. Our prisons are filled with offenders who, by and large, are there for committal of serious offences and in respect of which the Judiciary believed a custodial sentence was warranted.

In the time available, it is not possible to pick up on all of the points made but I will try to comment on some of the key remarks. Many Senators, including Senators Regan and Bacik commented on the issue of prisoner overcrowding. The Minister stated last week that he accepts that prisoner numbers have increased quite significantly in recent years but that this is not unique, in international terms, to Ireland. I reiterate that there is no easy solution to how we manage our prisoner population. Releasing serious offenders onto the streets is not an option. I reiterate the Minister's commitment to providing the various criminal justice agencies with the necessary resources.

The prisons building programme to provide additional spaces is but one example of the Government's determination to tackle these issues. It represents a major commitment in these difficult economic times for the people and we will continue to support prison management and staff in whatever way we can. It has to be borne in mind that we have provided 1,920 new prison spaces since 1997. That is a fact Senators opposite must acknowledge. The Government is also determined to do what it can to prioritise expenditure on the provision of prison places and ensure serious criminals are kept off the streets.

Senators raised concerns regarding the Thornton Hall project. I acknowledge the point and agree that we need to replace the Mountjoy Prison complex. The Government remains fully committed to building the Thornton Hall complex, albeit on a phased basis, to provide 1,400 cells, with a regime focused ethos for prisoners. The first phase will see the provision of 400 cells capable of accommodating up to 700 prisoners and funding is being made available from the Department's capital envelope to enable it to proceed.

A number of Senators also raised the issue of slopping out, on which the Minister accepts their strongly held views. Improvements have taken place, with 72% of the prisoner population now having access to in-cell sanitation facilities. That figure will rise to 80% in the medium term. While we will need the facilities at Thornton Hall and Kilworth in place before we can completely eliminate the practice of slopping out, in the meantime the Irish Prison Service will continue to do what it can to address the matter.

There has also been some comment on the most recent reports of the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention and criticisms made of the prison system. The Minister wishes to state we need independent oversight of the prison system and the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention, Judge Michael Reilly - a judge of many years experience - is doing an excellent job, as acknowledged by many Senators during the debate. The Minister has asked the director general of the Irish Prison Service to review each of the reports presented.

Among other issues, Senator Quinn inquired whether prisoners had a vote; I can assure him that is the case.

Senator Regan referred to the activities available to prisoners. Last week the Minister set out the range of activities available to prisoners, but we must remember that they must want to engage in education programmes, workshops and other work training programmes if we are to obtain best results. Many prisoners want to engage - there are 90 workshops and about 220 whole-time equivalent teachers to provide classes, as well as prison grade staff in workshops. Some prisoners are also completing leaving and junior certificate and Open University courses. Therefore, it is not all negative. We must commend those prisoners who use their time in prison well to improve their standard of education, etc. Integrated sentence management also plays a role in how prisoners can be helped.

The Minister listened carefully and with great interest to the range of views expressed on the non-custodial options open to the Judiciary. I again thank Senator McDonald for her contribution. It is agreed that community-based sanctions work well in appropriate circumstances.

Senator O'Donovan spoke, too, about putting people in prison for minor offences, a matter to which the Minister also referred from his experience as a solicitor. As I said, he has indicated that he believes community service offers a real alternative. In this regard, the Department of Justice and Law Reform is examining the entire range of sanctions available.

I am unable to answer the question raised by Senator Buttimer on the completion of the Kilworth project. I will have a response communicated to him.

I thank Senators for giving me the opportunity to debate these issues. The Government is committed to tackling the issues raised and supporting all aspects of the criminal justice system. I do not have time to deal with a number of other issues raised by Senators, but I will have responses communicated to them.