Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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136. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that appointees and re-appointees to prison visiting committees have the ability and interest to do the work; the number of visits by prison visiting committees in 2015 to date; and if there are vacancies. [35257/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Prison Visiting Committee members are appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925. There are fourteen Prison Visiting Committees in existence - one for each institution.

Each Visiting Committee comprises no more than six members, and only suitable people with appropriate qualifications and a genuine interest in prison issues are appointed. Members are appointed for a term not exceeding three years. At the end of their term, their membership of the Committee automatically lapses but they may be either re-appointed for a further term or replaced by new members. There are currently 20 vacancies.

Each Visiting Committee presents an Annual Report to me. These reports are published and made available on my Department's website at www.justice.ie.

I am advised that to date in 2015 Visiting Committees have undertaken a total of 819 visits.

In May, 2011 the Government approved the drafting of a General Scheme of an Inspection of Places of Detention Bill, which will include provisions to make Visiting Committees more effective, while they continue their role of visiting prisons, meeting with prisoners, and liaising on their behalf with prison authorities. A link will be established between the Visiting Committees and the Inspector of Prisons. As part of these plans, it is intended to expand the role of the Inspector of Prisons. Under the proposed new arrangements, it is intended that Visiting Committees will report regularly to the Inspector of Prisons.

Subject to competing legislative priorities, it is expected that the General Scheme will be published in 2016. There will be a consultation process in advance of drafting and publication of the Bill.