Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Resettlement of Former Prisoners.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

1002 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in the case of a prisoners' project (details supplied), the proposed residence will be used for prisoners on early release, prisoners on parole, ex-prisoners, and other categories; if he will meet a delegation of residents from the neighbourhood to discuss the implications of this project; the amount of the initial funding for the project from the Vote of his Department; the proposed annual ongoing funding; the criteria which were used in respect of this allocation; if he has satisfied himself that the criteria are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2396/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The Deputy will be aware that the recent report of NESF on the re-integration of prisoners acknowledges and recognises the need for accommodation in the community to house ex-prisoners. The project referred to by the Deputy is a resettlement unit for female ex-prisoners which it is intended will house four women at a time. The unit will be overseen by a full-time professionally qualified manager and other qualified staff. It will be managed by PACE, Prisoners Aid through Community Effort, who have been involved with the resettlement of former prisoners for over 30 years. Some of the women will be on temporary release under the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release) Act 1960 and will be supervised by the Probation and Welfare Service. Other women who have completed their sentence will be assessed and, where they meet with the house requirements, may be given a room in the house, subject to availability. A sum of 63,000 has been allocated to the project. No commitment has been given in relation to other funding at this stage.

Representatives of the Probation and Welfare Service of my Department have met with immediate residents and have made available to them all relevant documentation in the possession of the service. It is understood that local residents have appealed to An Bord Pleanála the decision of Dublin City Council to allow the project to go ahead without a certificate of change of usage. In the circumstances, I do not consider that it would be appropriate for me to meet a delegation from the local residents at this stage.