Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Question No. 481 of 15 November 2005, if the Garda authorities were consulted on the temporary release for the person to attend the 16-week training programme referred to; if the location of the training centre close to the area where this person had organised drug supply was considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35359/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As I previously indicated in my answer to Question No. 481 of 15 November 2005, contact between the prison authorities and the Garda took place on several occasions in relation to this case. However, the Garda was not consulted by the Prison Service on the specific application for temporary release for the purpose of attending the training programme.

As stated in my previous answer, the decision to approve tightly controlled daily release to a work and training course was taken following consideration of this case by the local prison review management team which was chaired by the prison governor and whose membership includes staff from the probation and welfare service, the education service, the chaplaincy service, other senior prison officers and a senior official from Prison Service headquarters. All of these persons have considerable experience and expertise in this area and have kept this person's case under close review since her committal to prison. The particular college was chosen because the course and qualifications offered were relevant to the person concerned in the context of her pursuit of employment options post release.

By way of further information, the precise timetable of the course being taken is known to the prison authorities, the prisoner is accorded the minimum time to get to and from the course and each period of release is closely monitored. Procedures are also in place whereby the prison authorities will be notified of any non-attendance and any breach would have significant consequences for the person involved.