Committee of Public Accounts to examine 2020 Appropriation Accounts for Department of Justice and Prison Service

The meeting at 9.30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the C&AG, Seamus McCarthy.

The afternoon session, beginning at 1.30pm, will consider correspondence and other business of the Committee.

PAC Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The Department of Justice has overall responsibility for public policy and administration concerning justice, national security, equality, disability, and human rights issues. The Department’s overall expenditure during 2020 was €399 million.

“Areas of interest to the Committee include resources for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), major capital projects including the construction of a new laboratory for Forensic Science Ireland, funding of the Probation Services, the Garda Station Legal Aid Scheme, and training and development and incidental expenses.

“Ireland’s 12 prisons are managed by the Irish Prison Service (IPS), an executive agency within the Department of Justice. Total gross expenditure amounted to approximately €401 million in 2020, up from €358 million the previous year.

“The Committee wishes to discuss matters regarding the Thornton Hall site in north county Dublin, which was purchased for €30 million in 2005 for the development of a new prison, plans which were later abandoned. Other issues of concern include compensation and legal costs, and an independent report on Voluntary Mess Committees in prisons that was initiated on foot of a request from this Committee.

“The Committee looks forward to a wide-ranging engagement with Ms McPhillips and her colleagues on the 2020 Justice and Prison Votes, and related matters.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.