Skip to main content
Normal View

Support for Irish Prisoners Abroad.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004

Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Questions (229, 230)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

296 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has granted funding to Irish voluntary groups which provide assistance to Irish-born prisoners who are newly released from jail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27061/04]

View answer

Paul Connaughton

Question:

304 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a research study has been undertaken to identify the needs of Irish prisoners abroad, as promised under the programme for prosperity and fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27072/04]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 304 together.

My Department provides financial assistance to the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, the ICPO, the body established by the Bishops' Commission for Emigrants to identify and respond to the needs of Irish prisoners abroad and their families. Since 1997, an annual grant of €25,000 has been made to the ICPO here in Ireland. Assistance is also provided through the DÍON fund to the ICPO office in London which deals exclusively with Irish prisoners in Britain. This year the London office of the ICPO received €110,000 and I expect it will also benefit from the extra moneys allocated to the DÍON fund earlier this year.

In the programme for prosperity and fairness, the Government agreed to carry out a research project to identify the number of Irish prisoners abroad and their needs for services in prison. My Department held off commissioning a study pending the report of the task force on policy regarding emigrants, which noted that, in some cases, prisoners may have special needs which do not arise in the case of other emigrants. Following discussions with the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, it was agreed that the focus of the study should be on Irish prisoners in Britain. Draft terms of reference for this study have been drawn up and it is proposed to initiate the study in the near future.

Top
Share