asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the cost of transporting four prisoners to Loughan House who on finding that they could not be given accommodation were given an eight day return ticket by CIE from Dublin to Sligo, was £204; and the number of people from Loughan House who were turned away in such circumstances in 1984.
Written Answers. - Transport of Prisoners.
51.
Limerick East): Some prisoners are given temporary release which may be renewed on their return to prison or other place of custody if they have adhered to certain conditions in the meantime.
Some offenders on temporary release from Loughan House who have fulfilled the conditions imposed on them have had a renewal granted to them at Sligo, not because there was no accommodation in Loughan House but because the railway timetable was such as to create practical travel difficulties if they went to Loughan House. Some others have had their release renewed immediately on their reporting at Loughan House. This does not mean that requesting them to report formally to the prison authorities at Loughan House (or to a representative at Sligo) was unnecessary or a waste of funds, though the possibility of requesting such persons to report at some other prison instead is being explored.
The return train fare from Dublin to Sligo is £24.