Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 495: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details on the wide range of considerations which would have to be taken into account before contemplating the issue of distributing condoms to prisoners, to which he referred in a previous written answer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23693/05]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 496: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will detail the manner in which the issue of condom distribution in prisons "is being kept under ongoing review" by his office; the persons tasked with monitoring this issue; the manner in which information is gathered to inform the reviews; the number of times annually a report is submitted to him or the director of the Irish Prison Service based upon this review; if such reports are made in written form; the date the last such report was made to him or the director of the Irish Prison Service; the threshold to be met before he will authorise condom distribution in prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23694/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 496 together.

The Irish Prison Service monitors developments, both nationally and internationally, in a wide variety of areas relevant to the organisation and operation of prisons. This would include the issue of whether the provision of condoms to prisoners by prison authorities is either necessary or appropriate. To date, I have not received any "reports" on this matter as referred to by the Deputy. I am not aware that there is, in fact, any demand by prisoners that they be provided with condoms while in prison.

I have no plans to distribute condoms in prisons. If the issue were to be considered in greater detail, a number of issues would have to be considered, including compatibility with a prisons regime, possible abuses, legal issues and the question of liability.