Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of visits he has made to all prisons since taking up office; if he will provide the details and breakdown of these visits; if he will provide the details of any planned visits in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33043/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that one of the first things I did on becoming Minister was to visit the Mountjoy Prison campus. While there, I conducted a full tour of the prison including the landings, workshops, school and medical facilities. In addition, I also visited the Dóchas Centre and St. Patrick's Institution. I can further advise the Deputy that I visited Cork Prison in May 2011.

I may, depending on my schedule, make further prison visits this year and early next year.