Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
286. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the staffing complement of the Inspector of Prisons; the staffing level deemed necessary; if requests for additional funding to increase staff numbers have been made in 2018 or to date in 2019; if so, the result of such requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6268/19]
View answerThe Inspector of Prisons was established on a statutory basis under Part 5 of the Prisons Act 2007. A new Inspector of Prisons, Ms Patricia Gilheaney, was appointed in May 2018. She has an important role in ensuring an effective independent oversight of our prison system. Following her appointment, Ms. Gilheaney contracted PA consultants to carry out a review of the functions and arrangements of her office. The report was recently submitted to my Department and discussions regarding resources, legal powers and other related issues are ongoing.
Including Ms Gilheany, there are currently six staff assigned to the Office of Inspector of Prisons. The Deputy will appreciate that the Inspector of Prisons is independent in the performance of her statutory functions and it is a matter for her to determine how she implements her functions within her allocated resources.
