Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As  the Deputy will appreciate,  judges are independent in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. As a general rule, the court is required to impose a sentence which is proportionate not only to the crime but to the individual offender. In doing so, the Court identifies where on the sentencing range the particular case should lie and then applies any mitigating factors which may be present.

Under the Judicial Council, a Sentencing Guidelines Committee was established on 30 June last year. The Committee is responsible for compiling guidelines designed to increase consistency in relation to criminal sentences and are working to progress this.

I can inform the Deputy that on the night of the 31 March 2022, there were 32 sentenced individuals in the Dóchas Centre (Mountjoy Female Prison) who had a most serious offence listed under Group 8 Theft and Related Offences and of these 16 were held on shoplifting charges.

Non-custodial penalties, particularly supervised community sanctions, play a significant and important role in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing a degree of protection to the public. This is supported by Central Statistics Office figures on recidivism. 

As part of the work to ensuring a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, Government committed to reviewing policy options for prison and penal reform. The report of the cross-sectoral group tasked with undertaking this review is expected to be published shortly. Among the issues the group will make recommendations on is the on the appropriate use of non-custodial sanctions and the role they can play in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing protection to the public while holding the individual accountable.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014 seeks to update the Probation of Offenders Act 1907. The aim of the new Bill is to provide a modern statement of the law governing community sanctions, and the role of the Probation Service in the criminal justice system. It will facilitate the effective and efficient use of community sanctions by the courts, and will ensure that the courts have a wide range of appropriate options for dealing with persons who have committed minor offences.

The legislation also takes account of the interests of victims of crime by making it a statutory requirement for the courts to have regard to the interests of victims when making decisions about community sanctions.

Justice Plan for 2022 commits that the policy review of the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014 will be completed in the second quarter of this year.

Once this review is complete, it is envisaged that it will be published and a revised General Scheme agreed in the third quarter of this year with the aim of publishing the Bill in the final quarter of 2022.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the construction of the new women's prison forms part of a major redevelopment project currently underway at Limerick Prison.

The contract for this project was awarded in February 2019 with the construction element currently anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of this year. 

This will be followed by the installation and commissioning of the various security and safety systems with the new facility expected to be operational in Q4 of this year.

The new female prison, which will have 50 new cells and will increase capacity by a minimum of 22 spaces for female prisoners, is a core element of the redevelopment project.

I can advise the Deputy that, on completion of the new female prison, the current female wing in Limerick Prison will close and this will result in the overall capacity for female prisoners across the prison estate rising from 174 to a minimum of 196.

Together with the opening of new male accommodation in Limerick Prison and the reopening of the Training Unit in Mountjoy, the opening of the new female prison in Limerick will result in over 200 new prison spaces being available before the end of this year.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that a contract was signed in February 2019 for a major redevelopment of Limerick Prison which included the construction of a new prison facility for female prisoners.

The design of the facility for female prisoners is based on the principle of rehabilitation and normalisation reflecting contemporary design standards.  A mix of accommodation units is being provided which will comprise of bedroom units, some apartment style units and a mother and baby unit. The accommodation will be based around an external landscaped courtyard setting in keeping with the design principles on creating a safe therapeutic space and supportive regime.

The Female Prison will provide accommodation for a minimum of 50 prisoners, the accommodation comprises of a mixture of single bedrooms and studio apartment style accommodation, all with individual en-suites.

The women accommodated in this new facility will have full access to all supports and services required while in the prison.  The needs of the female prisoner’s health and wellbeing will be addressed with the inclusion of a healthcare suite with dentistry, medical assessment and consultation rooms.  

A work training and education suite with a mixture of classrooms and workshops will also be available.  Educational services are provided in partnership with a range of educational agencies including the Educational Training Boards, Public Library Services, the Open University and the Arts Council.

The facility will also provide a multi flexible visits regime to facilitate the provision of a variety of In-Reach services such as mental health services and addiction counselling.

A prisoner canteen and gymnasium is also included in the new build.   This is expected to be completed by the end of Summer 2022 and the new accommodation will become operational by the end of Q4 of 2022. This timeline assumes no further impact on construction activity or supply chain issues due to the Covid-19 pandemic.