Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1039. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has plans to introduce constitutional or legislative reforms that would more explicitly define the role, function, or limitations of the prison system in line with human rights obligations. [30219/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The General Scheme of the Irish Prison Service Bill, as approved by the previous Government, provides for the establishment of the Irish Prison Service on a statutory basis with defined functions, including upholding human rights and dignity.

The proposed Bill also will provide the Irish Prison Service with oversight and strategic guidance from a non-executive board, a dedicated audit committee and other expert committees as required. These new structures will ensure the Irish Prison Service can benefit from expert support and oversight in implementing penal policy reforms, managing capital projects and ensuring the highest standards of governance and accountability in the prison system. This will complement the human rights-focused oversight currently provided by external bodies such as the Inspector of Prisons, the Prison Visiting Committees, and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT)

The role of the Inspector of Prisons will be enhanced to become the new Chief Inspector of Places of Detention under the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill, which is currently being drafted. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has agreed to act as a co-ordinating body to work alongside other bodies acting as National Preventive Mechanisms in the expanded system of inspections that will be established by the legislation.

I am confident that the proposed Irish Prison Service Bill will help to ensure that the Prison Service is best positioned to fulfil its important mandate and to achieve the optimal environment and outcomes for prisoners, staff and communities alike. The General Scheme has been referred to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and it is my intention to bring forward the Bill in due course.