Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

Prison Service

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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958. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1156 of 9 September 2024, to provide an update on each of the 12 actions and works she approved to implement the report of the Prison Overcrowding Response Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46566/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I established a Prison Overcrowding Response Group (PORG) in 2023 to develop proposed actions to address the problem of Irish prisons operating above capacity. The Group comprises representatives from the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, and the Courts Service. In 2024, the Group presented its report to me and 12 actions were approved for implementation.

Two actions, concerning a new structured temporary release for women and the establishment of a specialised Probation Service response for scaling, have been combined and a pilot scheme has been established targeting women serving custodial sentences of 18 months or less in Limerick’s Women’s Prison.

An amended agreement has been put in place regarding delegated authority to grant temporary release, with an assessment to be commenced after six months of operation.

The Probation Service has been actively engaging with the Judiciary regarding a number of actions related to Community Service Orders (CSOs), and work to amend legislation to increase the limit of CSO hours is being progressed. Work on legislative amendments regarding ineligibility for temporary release for those serving minimum sentences is also underway. A policy review of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014 has been completed and will be brought to Government shortly.

An evaluation of the Dublin Drug Treatment Court, in accordance with the National Drugs Strategy, is a key priority for the Department, which remains strongly engaged and committed to advancing this initiative in 2025. The outcomes of the evaluation will inform recommendations regarding the future direction of Drug Treatment Courts across the country. Plans are in progress to engage with stakeholders around bail and the committal process and a detailed policy paper is currently under preparation in respect of post-release supervision.

In addition, and to further consider future prison capacity needs, a new Working Group was established, the Future Prison Capacity Working Group. This group has been examining the capacity requirements of the prison system out to 2035. An initial report of this group is expected shortly.

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