David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions he is taking to address overcrowding in prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31264/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population in Ireland over recent years, with dramatic increases in the number of sentenced prisoners, those being committed on remand and a trend towards longer sentences. As of 20 October, 2011, there were 4,275 prisoners in custody and 755 on temporary release. The number on temporary release equates to 15% of the total prisoner population.

While measures are being taken to upgrade prison facilities and increase the range of non-custodial options available to the courts, the problem of prison overcrowding remains a challenging issue which unfortunately cannot be resolved overnight.

I share the view of the Thornton Hall Review Group that decisive action is required on a number of fronts in order to address the problem of overcrowding and poor physical conditions particularly in Mountjoy and Cork Prisons. As the Deputy will know, the Government has decided in principle to proceed with the construction of new prison facilities at Thornton Hall and also at Kilworth, County Cork, albeit on a much smaller scale and design to that previously envisaged. The timeframe for this project is currently being discussed in the context of the Government's discussions on capital spending priorities for 2012.

The State has also been engaged in an ongoing capital programme with almost 600 additional prisoner spaces constructed and brought into use since January 2008. There are a number of ongoing projects, most notably the construction of a new accommodation block at the Midlands prison. This will provide a potential 300 spaces, a new kitchen and work training/education block, and an extension to the visits/reception areas. It is planned to have the new block fully commissioned by mid 2012. An administrative building on the Dóchas site has also just been converted into a new accommodation block which will provide 70 spaces. These will become operational next month.

I am also pursuing alternatives to custody and progress is being made. The recently enacted Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 requires the sentencing judge to consider the imposition of community service where a custodial sentence of 12 months or less is being considered. My officials are also working on the roll-out of a pilot community service scheme under which offenders who pose no threat to the community are offered earned earlier release in return for community service. In addition, I intend to give new guidelines to the Parole Board for the application of a similar scheme to long-term prisoners. It may take time but I expect to make further announcements about the implementation of these reforms later in the year.

The Fines Act 2010 introduced measures to prevent the automatic imprisonment of fine defaulters. I intend to bring forward new legislative proposals to introduce a system of "attachment orders" allowing a small amount of money to be taken from wages or social welfare facilitating the payment of the debt or fine over time. The concept of restorative justice also has a place in the range of non-custodial options which are available for use by the courts. The Deputy can be assured that my focus is to encourage the use of such options to the greatest extent possible.