Written answers

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

Department of Justice and Equality

Prison Committals

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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110. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures which a prisoner must undergo on arrival at prison, and before being allocated a cell; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8412/15]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that there is a standard operational procedure in place to ensure that upon committal, all offenders are assessed and accommodated appropriately according to their needs and specific security status. Dedicated committals units have been established in all committal prisons for this purpose.

I can further advise the Deputy that once a prisoner is committed to prison, the warrant is executed and the prisoner is then brought to the reception area. In the reception area the prisoner is searched in line with agreed procedures and their property is retained and logged. They are then brought to the committals unit.

During the committal period, each prisoner is given an information booklet outlining his/her rights, duties, obligations and privileges. Each prisoner is assessed during the committal and induction period to determine whether he or she poses a safety risk to themselves, other prisoners or staff. In addition every prisoner undergoes a healthcare assessment in the committal unit.

The prison Governor or a delegated member of prison staff also meets with the prisoner during the committal period in order to ensure that he or she has been made aware of and understands his or her rights, duties, obligations and privileges.

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners who were brought to prison, on foot of committal orders, for non-payment of fines, on 18 February 2015, and later released, or placed on temporary release, on that date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8413/15]

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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112. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners who were committed to prison, for non-payment of fines, and brought to prison on 18 February 2015, and later released on that date, or given temporary release; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8414/15]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.

I can advise the Deputy that on 18 February 2015 there were 55 committals to custody for the non-payment of a fine. Of this, 49 were released on temporary release on that day.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 was signed into law by the President on 16 April 2014. The aim of the legislation is to seek to effectively eliminate, in so far as is possible, the need for judges to commit anyone to prison for the non-payment of a fine. As well as introducing an option for persons to pay fines by instalment, there are also changes in the way those who fail to pay fines are dealt with, with a range of options available to judges including recovery orders, attachment of earnings, community service and ultimately imprisonment.

Work is ongoing in preparing for the implementation of the Act. The area most directly affected by the changes is the Courts and the Courts Service is working on a number of developments which will ensure that the implementation of the legislation, and the new procedures which will operate under it, are as efficient as possible.

In relation to the introduction of payment of fines by instalment, a decision was taken to outsource all aspects of the recovery of fines to an external provider. The Courts Service is introducing new arrangements for the payment of fines which will allow payments to be made in a range of outlets across the country, and not just through Courts Service offices. There are significant changes in information technology required to ensure that the instalment payment system operates effectively and that the necessary accounting procedures are in place for the recording of payments. Changes are also required in the way that information is transferred between the Courts Service and An Garda Síochána to ensure that both organisations have fully up to date information on the cases and their current status.

It is expected that all the preparations for the new system will be completed by the third quarter of 2015. While it is desirable that the Act be commenced as soon as possible, it is important that these preparations are done correctly to ensure that the significant changes being implemented in the fines system as a result of this legislation are implemented smoothly and effectively from the start.

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