Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2016
267. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of people resident in Dublin 12, 8,10 and 6W who were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment; the number who were processed at the prison where they were sent and released on the same day or the following day, by prison, by category of crime, by length of sentence given, in 2014 and in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4242/16]
View answer268. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of people resident in Cork City who were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment; the number who were processed at the prison where they were sent and released on the same day or on the following day, by prison, by category of crime, by length of sentence given, in 2014 and in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4243/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, I commenced the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 on 11 January 2016. The Act provides an appropriate response to the problems of the refusal or failure of some people to pay fines and the inappropriateness of imprisonment as the automatic response where this happens. Imprisonment will only apply as a last resort where it is not appropriate to make an Attachment Order, a Recovery Order or Community Service Order or where a Community Service Order is made and the person fails to comply with it.
I am confident that with the changes to the fines system that will flow from the implementation of the Act, the number of persons imprisoned for the non-payment of fines in the future will be very significantly reduced.
I am advised that the information being sought by the Deputy is being compiled and checked and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
