Vol. 561 No. 4
419 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the State of keeping persons (details supplied) in Castlerea Prison since April 2000; and the cost to the State in terms of legal fees incurred in relation to the persons cases and any other costs incurred from their incarceration. [4385/03]
I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that it does not keep records of the cost of keeping individual prisoners within the prison system. However, each year, indicative average costs of keeping an offender in the various prisons and places of detention under the aegis of prisons and places of detention are released.
The individuals referred to by the Deputy were transferred from Portlaoise Prison to Castlerea Prison on 4 May 2000. The cost of keeping a prisoner in Portlaoise and Castlerea Prisons for the year 2000 was €157,828 and €63,233 respectively. The cost of a keeping a prisoner in Castlerea Prison in 2001 was €66,700. Figures are not yet available for 2002.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, legal proceedings taken in these cases have not been concluded and the question of costs has therefore not been determined.
