asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the estimated increase in the weekly cost, per head, of maintenance of inmates and staff in institutions under the control of his Department, as a result of the Budget proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Maintenance in Institutions.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding the increased weekly cost of maintaining prisoners will not be available until the contracts for the supply to prisons of the commodities affected by the removal of the food subsidies have been revised. I shall send particulars to the Deputy in due course.
I am not in a position to supply figures regarding the increased weekly cost of maintenance of prison officers as my Department is only responsible for the provision of official quarters for these officers.
Is the position then that the Minister or his Department did not make any estimate as to the effect of the abolition of the food subsidies before the Government took that decision?
We have to presume that the Department did not know anything about the Budget beforehand.
Does the Minister make the same presumption in respect of Ministers?
Further, will the Minister indicate whether he or any of his colleagues in the Government made any estimate as to the possible increases which would ensue from their decision to abolish the food subsidies?