Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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80. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide the policy document and latest information on the implementation of the cell-share risk assessment tool proposed as part of the Prison Service's strategic plan; the locations where it is in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17014/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the Director General of the Irish Prison Service accepted in full the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Death of Gary Douche (commonly referred to as the McMorrow Report). As a result a "Cell Sharing Risk Assessment Policy" was drafted and piloted in the Midlands Prison.

As a result of this pilot, the Director General appointed a high-level Group to introduce a standard Risk Assessment Tool for use throughout the prison Estate. This Risk Assessment Tool will include provisions for the assessment of prisoners for suitability for cell-sharing, for moves within individual prisons and other operational decisions. The Assessment Tool is currently being developed with professional advice and assistance from the State Claims Agency, and is very much at an advanced stage.

Upon completion of this developmental stage of the introduction of the Assessment Tool, a decision will then be taken as to whether or not the policy will be published, subject to the usual operational and security considerations.