Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

343. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of men and women, respectively, who were granted temporary release in 2019 in terms of days out by prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23691/19]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

344. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of men and women, respectively, who were granted full temporary release in 2019 by prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23692/19]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

345. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of sentence left to serve when full temporary release was granted for male and female prisoners in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23693/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 to 345, inclusive, together.

I can advise the Deputy that in relation to Temporary Release, decisions are considered on a case by case basis and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made. Before a final determination is made a number of additional factors are taken into account including:

- the nature and gravity of the offence to which the sentence being served by the person relates

- the sentence concerned and any recommendation made by the Court in relation to the sentence imposed

- the person's previous criminal record

- the risk that the person might commit an offence during any period of temporary release

- the risk of the person failing to comply with any of the conditions of temporary release

The Irish Prison Service has provided the information set out in the tables.

The table outlines the number of male and female prisonerswho were approved am/pm temporary release from prison between the period 1 January to 31 May 2019. I can inform the Deputy that prisoners are approved temporary release for education, training, work, compassionate and re-socialisation reasons.

The following table outlines the number of male and female prisonerswho were approved Full Temporary Release between the period 1 January to 31 May 2019.

The following tables outline the number of male and female prisonerswho were approved Full Temporary Release between the period 1 January to 31 May 2019 and the amount of time left to serve when Full Temporary release was granted.

The statistics provided in relation to the number of prisoners approved Full Temporary Release includes prisoners who were serving less than 3 months for the non-payment of fines and prisoners who were approved Full Temporary Release in order to facilitate their removal from the State.