Prison Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021

Thursday, 1 July 2021

Questions (347, 348)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

347. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 365 of 24 June 2021, the number of category A complaints from the Dóchas centre over the past three years to date which were not sustained due to no reasonable grounds in accordance with section 57B (10) (b) of the Prison Rules 2007; the number of category A complaints from the Dóchas centre over the past three years to date where it was not possible to make a determination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35586/21]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

348. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 365 of 24 June 2021, the number of category A complaints received from prisoners within the Dóchas centre over the past three years to date which were deemed vexatious, without foundation or falling outside the scope for investigation in accordance with section 57B(5)(b) of the Prison Rules 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35587/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

Dochas Category A Complaints	Total Complaints	Not sustained due to no reasonable grounds	Not possible to make a determination	Outside the scope for investigation	Vexatious	Without foundation
2018	5	1	2	0	0	0
2019	8	1	0	0	0	0
2020	8	2	1	1	0	0
2021	1	0	0	0	0	0

I understand that a final decision will be made on two outstanding complaints from 2018 in the near future.

Two complaints from 2019 are still under investigation, as the onset of the COVID pandemic prevented Complaint Investigators from entering the prisons.

I am also informed that the complaint for 2021 is still undergoing an investigation process.

The Deputy may wish to be aware that work is continuing on the completion of the necessary actions to introduce the new Prisoner Complaints System. This includes the drafting of the Statutory Instrument and the roll out of necessary training for Irish Prison Service staff. While there is currently no mechanism in place to appeal an outcome of a complaint, this facility will be available for prisoners in the new complaints process.

Question No. 348 answered with Question No. 347.