Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will establish an office of a prisoner's ombudsman. [34838/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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One of the obligations imposed by the Prisons (Visiting Committee) Act 1925 on such committees is to hear any complaints which may be made to them by a prisoner. I intend in due course in legislation to provide for a link between Visiting Committees and the Inspector of Prisons. I have also decided that a new complaints procedure should be introduced under the oversight of the Inspector of Prisons.

In the circumstances I am not convinced that there is any added value in establishing a prisoner's ombudsman and have no plans to establish such an office.