Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2023
137. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the steps he is taking to review prisoner gratuity levels, given the increase in the cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7457/23]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the Incentivised Regimes policy provides for a differentiation of privileges between prisoners according to their level of engagement with services and behaviour. The objective is to provide tangible incentives to those in prison to participate in constructive activities and to encourage good behaviour, leading to a safer and more secure environment. I am informed that the list of additional privileges varies between prisons and within different areas of a prison, depending on operational and infrastructure requirements.
I am also advised that three different regime levels are provided for and that the daily gratuity payable varies according to the regime level, as follows: basic €0.95, standard €1.70, and enhanced €2.20. I understand that those on remand are treated in the same way as those who have been sentenced for the purposes of the Incentivised Regimes policy.
The Deputy may also be interested to note that people in prison may avail of further gratuities under the approved working gratuity scheme. The daily amount of the approved work gratuity is fixed for all prisons/institutions at 50 cent per session with a maximum of €3.50 per week for work training activities, such as work in kitchens, laundry, industrial cleaning, grounds maintenance, industrial waste management, painting and stores.
The Incentivised Regimes policy was subject to a national review which concluded in September 2020. One of the recommendations from the review was that consideration be given to an increase in the level of gratuity awarded under the Incentivised Regimes Policy, subject to resource availability. Consideration of this is undertaken as part of the overall estimates process.
I am further advised that to assist in alleviating the cost of tuck shop items for prisoners, a decision was taken by the Prison Service to change sales prices for all non-tobacco products from 1 February 2021. Tuck shop items are now for sale at cost price (plus 5%), with the exception of tobacco which remains at the Recommended Retail Price as its sale is subject to conditions set down by the Revenue Commissioners.
I am also advised by the Prison Service that the Prisoner Initiatives Development Fund (PIDF) was established in July 2021 and provides a means for specific additional prisoner-directed services or programmes, one-off developmental events, or small-scale investment in equipment. In 2022, successful initiatives that received funding from the PIDF helped to deliver on strategic goals and objectives for prisoner rehabilitation, prisoner development, education or training.
