Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
535. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the criteria used for selecting visiting committee members for the Irish Prison Service; the requirements in terms of qualifications; the role involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31571/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Prison Visiting Committees are made up of individuals from across society. The Visiting Committee to each of the current 12 prisons or places of detention is appointed under the Prison (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925 as applied by section 4 of the Prisons Act, 1970. Rules relating to the specific functions and operation of such Visiting Committees are set out in the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925.
The function of Visiting Committees is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prisons to which they are appointed and to hear any complaints which may be made to them by any prisoner. Visiting Committees have free access, either collectively or individually, to every part of their prisons. They focus on issues such as the quality of accommodation, catering, medical, educational, welfare and recreational facilities.
The above legislation provides that members of Prison Visiting Committees are to be responsible persons. While at present there is no formal requirement for any specific qualifications in order to be considered for membership of a Prison Visiting Committee, generally speaking applicants have an interest in the wider criminal justice sector or related fields and have a desire to contribute to society. Members of Prison Visiting Committees are drawn from a wide spectrum to ensure that the needs of prisoners are understood and met. All applications or expressions of interest with regard to membership of Prison Visiting Committees are examined individually. Appointments to Prison Visiting Committees are generally for a period not exceeding three years and members can be considered for re-appointment.
Appointments to Prison Visiting Committees are made by me, in my capacity as Minister, on foot of representations, either from local representatives or from individuals nominating themselves. This is the long standing practice used by successive Ministers in appointing members to Prisons Visiting Committees.
Given the nature of the functions of Prison Visiting Committees, all applicants are subject to Garda clearance.
The Deputy may wish to note that there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the existing functions, powers, appointment procedures and reporting processes for Prison Visiting Committees. Work in this regard has commenced in my Department.
