asked the Minister for Justice what sum of money has been expended in (a) the past ten years and (b) the past five years on the repair and upkeep of the exterior of prison cottages occupied by prison officers in Mountjoy Prison; and at what date the exterior of these cottages was last renovated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mountjoy Prison Cottages.
63.
It is not possible to assess the value of the man hours spent by prison labour and officer personnel on exterior maintenance and repair works on these cottages during the last 10 years but exclusive of these factors the total sum spent during that period on building materials for use in Mountjoy Prison and St. Patrick's Institution, including cottages, was £50,000 approximately, of which about one-third related to maintenance and repairs.
General renovation of the exterior of these cottages was completed in 1954 and since then partial renovation works were carried out in 1959 and 1961. Additional works are planned for the current year.
64.
asked the Minister for Justice whether it is a fact that prison officers of Mountjoy Prison who occupy prison cottages, for which they pay rent, must apply for permission to his Department to have members of their families, who are over eighteen years of age, reside with them; whether they must also apply for permission to have visiting relatives or friends stay overnight; and, if so, whether he will take immediate steps to put an end to such regulations.
The regulations governing the occupancy of prison cottages require permission of my Department for the residence of grown-up members of the occupant's family and the permission of the Governor for the keeping of overnight guests. In practice, however, the requirement to seek permission is not enforced and only in very exceptional circumstances are the regulations invoked. The retention of these regulations is considered desirable in the interests of prison discipline and security.
Does the Minister realise that it is on the Order Book in Mountjoy Prison that these regulations must be adhered to?
I do realise that, but the actual position is that the regulations are not enforced as a rule and it is only in very exceptional circumstances that they are invoked.
Does the Minister regard an officer's father or mother, sister or brother as being overnight guests who would not come within the ambit of the regulations?
The regulation is quite clear and the reason for it is equally clear. These are prison cottages and the prison authorities are entitled to ensure that they are fully aware of what persons are residing there.
Why?
Security and other purposes.