asked the Minister for Justice if he will give a full statistical analysis of the prison population.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Population.
85.
(Cavan): Information of the type sought by the Deputy is contained in the annual reports on prisons. The latest report published is that for 1970.
As I pointed out in reply to Parliamentary Questions on 28th March, the heavy demands on the staff of the prison service in the past couple of years has led to arrears in statistical analyses.
I am arranging to have the reports for 1971 and 1972 completed and published at an early date.
The Minister can appreciate the reason for my question. The only publicly available report on a statistical analysis is for 1970. The Minister cannot give me an up-to-date report on the prison population for 1973. Surely if the Department of Justice are looking after a prison system they should know? That is not an unreasonable request?
(Cavan): I have nothing to add to the reply— that the Minister is arranging to have reports for 1971 and 1972 completed as soon as possible. If the Deputy had been as energetic in regard to 1971 and 1972 he would have the information now.
That indicates a total disregard for this matter. There is serious concern in regard to it. Such a smart reply is not good enough and we will not accept it.
(Cavan): The reply is not smart. The Minister for Justice has said the last report was published in relation to 1970. That is the position he found. He has taken every possible step to get the statistics up-to-date.
by 1976.
(Cavan): It will not be two years.
Can the Minister state the date on which the 1970 report was published?
(Cavan): I cannot.