Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Additional Detention Places.

Ivor Callely

Question:

651 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the additional number of detention places that will be required to meet the demands that will be placed on required detention places in order to implement the measures contained in the crime package as announced on 2 July 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15734/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The Government has, in the current year, approved my proposals for the provision of a total of approximately 880 additional prison places. The additional places include 60 places for female prisoners, at least 400 places for male remand prisoners and 420 places for male convicted prisoners. These additional places represent an increase of 40 per cent on the existing level of available prison accommodation.

I am satisfied that the above programme to provide additional prison places represents a very significant and appropriate response to the existing problems in regard to overcrowding, early and temporary prisoner release programmes and to any demands that are likely to arise from reform of the existing bail laws.