asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners in goals in the country in the past four years; and the weekly cost of maintaining these prisoners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prisoner Population.
129.
In reply to a question by Deputy Ryan on 7th March, I indicated that the current estimated weekly cost of keeping a person in custody was £15. This was calculated on the basis of a daily average population of 570 persons in custody.
For the preceding four financial years the weekly cost of prisoner maintenance was: 1962-63, £10 15s.; 1963-64, £10 10s.; 1964-65, £14 9s.; and 1965-66, £14 3s.
The daily average population of persons in custody for each of these years was 491, 570, 566 and 561 respectively.
The increase in cost as between 1963-64 and the subsequent financial years was in the main due to pay increases and to additional staff requirements consequent on a reduction in staff working hours.
It would be cheaper to keep them in hotels now.
They are infinitely better off, then, than the old age pensioner.
That is a point that might be made to Deputy L'Estrange.
The Minister would not let me into Mountjoy.
That would be a more appropriate place for the Deputy.