John O'Donoghue
Question:12 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who were granted early or full-time temporary release from Irish prisons in 1995; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12875/96]
Written Answers. - Release of Prisoners.
David Andrews
Question:20 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners granted early or full-time temporary release from Irish prisons since 1 January 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12876/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 20 together.
The precise information requested by the Deputies in respect of 1995 and 1996 is being compiled at present but is not yet available. The Minister will be happy to make this information available to the Deputies as it comes to hand.
However, the Minister can say at this stage that the number of full temporary releases granted is now about 4,000 per year. Approximately 4,500 individuals, which would include some of the 4,000 referred to above, would be granted varying periods of short-term temporary release.