Vol. 471 No. 8
35 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Justice the terms of reference of the proposed independent, permanent statutory board which it is intended will take responsibility for the prison service; and when such a board will be established on a statutory basis. [21777/96]
43 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Justice when responsibility for the administration of the prisons will be removed from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21801/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 43 together. On 12 November the Government approved the establishment of a board of agency to run the prison and probation and welfare services. The Government has, as part of this decision, established a small group comprising experts from within and outside the public service to work out all the detailed aspects of the new board or agency. The group has been mandated to complete its work and report its findings to Government by the end of January. The chairperson of this group will be Mr. Dan McAuley, chairman of Gypsum Industries plc., and former chairman of the Labour Relations Commission. The group will consist of, in addition to the chairman, two representatives from the Department of Justice, two from the Department of Finance, an official from the Attorney General's Office and two other members from outside the Civil Service whose names I will announce later. Following full consideration by the Government of the group's report, the necessary decisions to take this matter forward will be taken.
