Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the cost to the State for the day release of prisoners from the State's prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49685/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that under the Prison Rules 2007, basic provisions on release of prisoners is provided for as follows:

Rule 61 (1)When a prisoner is discharged from prison whether on temporary release or otherwise, the Governor shall ensure that he or she has sufficient means for travelling to his or her destination within the State.

(2) If, upon being discharged from prison whether on temporary release or otherwise, a prisoner has no clothing of his or her own, or inadequate clothing, he or she shall be provided with suitable clothing, and, in so far as is practicable, of a type that is generally worn by persons of his or her age and gender outside prison.

(3) If the Governor has reasonable grounds for believing that a prisoner who is being discharged from prison, whether on temporary release or otherwise, has insufficient means of subsistence, the Governor shall ensure, in so far as is practicable, that he or she is provided with such means of subsistence as the Governor considers appropriate in the circumstances.

I can inform the Deputy that 6,423 prisoners received day release during 2016 for education, training, work, compassionate and re-socialisation reasons. 

It is not possible to provide the exact cost to the State for this cohort of prisoners without a manual examination of the 6,423 files.  Such an examination would require an inordinate and disproportionate amount of staff time and resources and could not be considered at this time.

I can advise the Deputy however, that in the majority of day release cases, no subsistence payment is made by the Irish Prison Service.  In certain circumstances a prisoner may apply to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for income support while on day release.