Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost incurred by the Prison Service of a visit (details supplied) in County Roscommon; if he will provide a breakdown of the costs; the number of members of staff, and the grade, that accompanied the visit; the protocol used when deciding on allowing such visits; if visit such as this are normal practice [15378/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the prisoner referred to was afforded an escorted visit, in the company of an Acting Chief Officer and a prison Chaplain, to a family grave on the 21 March 2013. The prisoner had previously been granted an escorted visit, again accompanied by an Acting Chief Officer and a Chaplain, to view the remains of their parent, in private, away from the public and other family members at the funeral home. The prisoner did not attend the funeral mass or burial. It should also be noted that the escort only took a few hours and was on condition that the staff resources were available to carry out same.

The Deputy will be aware that it is open to all prisoners to apply for compassionate temporary release or for escorted visits, in the company of prison staff, for significant family occurrences such as funerals, communions or confirmations etc. All requests for temporary release or escorted outings are considered on a case by case basis and subject to appropriate security considerations.

Prisoners may be approved escorted visits on compassionate/humanitarian grounds to the graveside of a close family member in the event of a bereavement at a later stage if they are not permitted to attend the funeral. A number of criteria is considered prior to granting the applications including the prisoners remission date, behaviour in prison and engagement with the therapeutic services within the prison. The safety of the public and any possible victim issues are also taken into account.

In this case the prisoner is due for release early next year and their behaviour and engagement with services, in particular the Psychology Service is very good. Their was no risk to the public and the local Gardaí were informed prior to the escort taking place.

The need to escort prisoners outside prisons arises routinely in a number of contexts and prison staff are assigned to carry out these duties as part of their day to day work. Therefore, I can advise the Deputy that no additional expenditure would have been incurred as a result of this escort.