Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2022
262. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the annual cost of providing Army security at Portlaoise Prison; the cost of escorting prisoners to medical appointments and court hearings outside the prison; the amount that is reimbursed by the Irish Prison Service to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26991/22]
View answerThe Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP), which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
At the direction of Government, the Defence Forces continue to provide 24/7 security at Portlaoise Prison. They also provide prisoner escorts to and from the courts and hospitals, at the request of An Garda Síochána.
In addition to basic pay, prison duty allowance is paid to personnel of the Permanent Defence Force below the rank of Commandant engaged on security duties in Portlaoise prison. Military personnel drawn from all Brigades are mobilised into a special unit for this purpose.
The total cost associated with Defence Forces personnel performing ATCP roles at Portlaoise Prison for the year 2021 is set out below. The total cost includes the costs of escorting prisoners to medical appointments and court hearings outside the prison. These costs are not reimbursed and are met in full from the Defence Vote.
|
Year |
Annual Cost associated with ATCP support at Portlaoise Prison |
|
2021 |
€2,777,244 |
The Commission on the Defence Forces which was published on the 9 February 2022, included a recommendation “That an immediate focus be given to standing down a number of current Defence Forces’ ATCP taskings which no longer seem justified in the current security situation”. The next stage in the process is for the careful consideration of the recommendations and in-depth discussion and inter-departmental consultation. The intent is that following relevant consultation, and before the summer recess, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan.
