Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person can directly apply to be on the Visiting Committee of Portlaoise Prison; if not, the reason why; if a report for 2014 will be published for the aforementioned prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8554/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that 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. In determining appointments, consideration is given to a person's suitability, appropriate qualifications and a genuine interest in prison issues. A person can apply directly to me to be considered for appointment to a Visiting Committee.

Each Visiting Committee presents an Annual Report to me. These reports are published and made available on my Department's website at . The Portlaoise Prison Visiting Committee Annual Report for 2014 was published on 24 November 2015. Once the Portlaoise Prison Visiting Committee Annual Report for 2015 is presented to me it too will be published.