asked the Minister for Justice the provisions made for dependants while prisoners are serving sentences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prisoners' Dependants Provisions.
11.
The welfare officers attached to the prisons and other places of detention are available to help prisoners to cope with any problems they may have, and their services include the provision of advice as to what services any dependants may be entitled to from the State or local authorities and also what voluntary bodies might be in a position to assist. The welfare officers are available to discuss such matters not only with the prisoner but also with, for instance, his wife or other dependants and, in this context, they are prepared to visit prisoners' homes in any case where they think that the circumstances warrant this and that their visit would be acceptable to the family concerned.
Does the decision here with regard to social welfare benefits compare with that in Britain?
I have no information to answer the Deputy's supplementary question. There are no funds available to me in my Department to provide financial assistance to prisoners' dependants.
The Minister must be aware that dependants of prisoners are solely dependent on home assistance in which there is a means test employed. Would the Minister consider consulting with the Minister for Social Welfare to see if a much more satisfactory arrangement could be made for those dependants who are in no way the guilty parties in this situation ?
I share the Deputy's consideration for those people and I will certainly consult with the Minister for Social Welfare.