Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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547. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to the fact that the Irish prison population has confirmed overcrowding issues, if he will confirm whether prisoners who are entitled to early release by international standards are being detained to disguise homeless figures; if this is not the case, the reason for their extra judicial detention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24377/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that legislation governing the powers of the Minister for Justice to grant temporary release is provided for in section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended.

All applications for temporary release are assessed as per the criteria outlined in section 2. I can also inform the Deputy that the objective of the Irish Prison Service is that all releases from Irish prisons and places of detention are planned releases, in order to support offenders in making informed and effective transitions from prison to the community in compliance with statutory, legal and sentencing provisions.

If a sentenced prisoner informs prison authorities that they were homeless prior to coming into custody, or that they are at risk of homelessness on release, they are referred to the prison-based resettlement service. The resettlement service works with the prisoner and the relevant local authority to identify possible accommodation solutions in preparation for their release and reintegration in to the community.

Finally, I can also advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provides funding to enable the Irish Association for Social Integration Opportunities to provide Resettlement Coordinators in each of our closed prisons and that the number of Resettlement Coordinators across the prison estate has increased from 3 to 12 in recent years.