Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recommendation of the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas that the State establish a scheme to allow for a stipend to be sent to Irish citizens held in prisons overseas, similar to that offered by other EU countries for their citizens; and if his Department has given consideration to this recommendation. [7024/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, ICPO, has not made a formal recommendation to me for the payment of a stipend to Irish citizens held in prison overseas. However, I am aware that it favours such a scheme and that some European countries make such payments to some of their prisoners overseas.

My Department provides an annual grant to ICPO to support its services to Irish prisoners abroad and their families. The work of ICPO complements the consular assistance provided to Irish prisoners abroad by my Department. My Department is preparing terms of reference for a research study into Irish prisoners abroad, which will cover the needs aspect of such prisoners.