Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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234. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his strategy to develop an open prison for women as an alternative to overcrowding in the Dóchas centre and Limerick women's prison. [42384/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that in the joint Probation Service/Irish Prison Service Women's Strategy 2014 - 2016, An Effective Response to Women Who Offend, published in 2014, the Irish Prison Service made a commitment to explore the development of an open centre/open conditions for women assessed as low risk of re-offending.

This commitment was acknowledged in the Report on the Strategic Review of Penal Policy which also recommended a greater focus on step down facilities, supported accommodation, the use of more community based open conditions for female offenders and the provision of an open centre for women.

A joint Irish Prison Service/Probation Service Working Group was then established to consider an open centre for women. The Working Group recommended that, rather than developing an open centre, the preferred option would be to pursue step down facilities for women.

In this regard, approval was given to the Heads of the Irish Prison Service and Probation Service to proceed to scope the possibilities for the development of a step down unit in Dublin. This project is on-going.

A new development for females in Limerick, which work will commence on in early 2018, will when completed, provide 42 rooms with 8 independent living areas. This standalone facility with all the required ancillary services will enhance the regimes and supports available to women.