Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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245. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for Harristown House, Castlerea, County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17258/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that there are no plans to alter the current use of Harristown House.

The Deputy will be aware that Harristown House, on the grounds of Castlerea Prison, opened in 2013 for use as a step-down facility for prisoners coming towards the end of lengthy sentences as a means of assisting them in re-integrating into society upon release.

I am further advised by the Irish Prison Service that the Parole Board has been requested to consider recommending the transfer of prisoners, particularly life-sentenced prisoners coming towards the end of their sentences to the facility. Recommendations can be considered by the board in circumstances where the board is of the view that such prisoners would benefit from such a transfer with a view to successfully re-integrating them into society and to assist them in leading law-abiding lives upon eventual release. Any such prisoners recommended for transfer to Harristown House will be subject to the normal risk assessments conducted by the Irish Prison Service.