Written answers
Tuesday, 18 April 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
Probation and Welfare Service
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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999. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources that will be made available to the Probation Service and other relevant organisations in order to guarantee that the transfer of sentenced people on temporary release runs smoothly and without delays; the reason a person (details supplied) who is approved and waiting on immediate temporary release cannot obtain an appointment with the Probation Service until June 2023, therefore delaying their temporary release by seven weeks; if he agrees that such delays are having a negative impact on the prison system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17677/23]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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While it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any individual case, I can advise the Deputy more generally, that the Probation Service supervises all individuals subject to post release supervision where that order is imposed by the Court. Post release supervision orders start on the expiration date of the custodial part of the individual’s sentence.
Sometimes the Irish Prison Service deem it appropriate to release an individual on temporary release prior to the expiration date of their custodial sentence. Where the person is subject to a post-release supervision order, this period of temporary release is supervised by the Probation Service and is in addition to the Court ordered post release supervision of the sentence. As such, this is an extra demand on Probation Service resources and it can only be agreed to where Probation Service resources allow.
I am advised that The Probation Service will always endeavour to meet requests for supervised temporary release made by the Irish Prison Service and regularly reviews its caseload capacity in an effort to meet such requests.
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