Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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116. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the provision of an open prison option for female prisoners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7225/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that in March 2014, the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service published a joint strategy on female offenders entitled "An Effective Response to Women Who Offend".

The Strategy sets out how the two Services will work together and contains a commitment to explore the development of an open centre/open conditions for women prisoners assessed as at low risk of re-offending. This approach was also recommended by the Strategic Review of Penal Policy which reported in September 2014.

A subgroup was appointed in 2014 by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service to consider this matter. The group conducted an examination of the female prisoner population in order to establish how many persons may be suitable for open centre conditions and to ascertain their geographical locations, and gave considerations to a number of possible locations for an open centre.

The group has submitted a report to the Director General for his examination of the various options and this process of deliberation is currently ongoing.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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117. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress, to date, in providing supported accommodation and inter-related services for women offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7227/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Abigail Women's Centre run by Depaul Ireland and Novas Ireland opened in Kildonan Road, Finglas, in December 2014. This new facility has increased capacity to accommodate women referred by both the Probation Service and Irish Prison Service.

Novas Ireland also operates an accommodation unit for women who are allocated places through Dublin City Council on the same site. The separate facilities are located in adjoining buildings with opportunities to share resources.

This is a dedicated women's initiative involving a range of agencies working together including the Dublin Regional Housing Executive, Dublin City Council, Probation Service, Irish Prison Service, Health Service Executive, and the Dublin City Education and Training Board. The Centre provides supported accommodation and a wide variety of inter-related services for vulnerable women. On-site supports include life skills, education, training for the workplace, family mediation, addiction services, physical and mental health services, budgeting and housing.