Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2015
247. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the development of an aged prisoner facility in Shelton Abbey Prison, County Wicklow; the expected date for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17260/15]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that their Strategic Plan 2012-2015 includes a commitment that the Irish Prison Service will, in conjunction with other key stakeholders, devise specific strategies for older prisoners. The main reason for this is because there has been a significant increase in the number of older prisoners in the prison system. Information collated from the end of month snapshot taken by the Irish Prison Service on Saturday 31st January 2015, indicated there were 223 prisoners in custody aged 55 and over, 26 of whom were on remand.
Work on the development and implementation of this strategy is underway and will be implemented over the lifetime of the Strategic Plan. In line with this commitment the Irish Prison Service is currently finalising a policy document for older prisoners. The Policy will seek to ensure that older adults in prison are identified as specific groups of individuals who have particular needs within the prison population. Central to the development of tailored services for older prisoners, is the development of a specific facility to better cater for the needs of older persons. The Irish Prison Service is considering a number of options, and I understand that the publication of the Older Persons Policy and an announcement of proposals to develop a dedicated facility for older prisoners will be made later in the year.
