Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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569. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to urgently release the report into the death of a person (details supplied) to their family given the pending inquest on 1 February 2023. [4795/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, since April 2012 all deaths in custody are subject to an independent investigation by the Inspector of Prisons. Following this investigation, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons makes recommendations for improvement where appropriate. These recommendations are forwarded to the Prison Service for their attention and the final report is submitted to the Minister for Justice. Finalised reports and any associated Prison Service Action Plan to address the recommendations are published in an anonymised form on the Gov.iewebsite and made available to the Coroner.

The Office of the Inspector of Prisons in conducting their investigations seek to thoroughly explore and analyse all aspects of the case. As the Deputy will appreciate this process can take time.  In addition, as part of this process, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons engages with the next of kin of the person who has died.  

I can inform the Deputy that the specific report referred to has been finalised, that the Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector of Prisons have been in contact with the family and that the report has now been published and provided to the Coroners Office.