asked the Minister for Justice the steps that are being taken to implement the recommendation made by the Council of Europe in its booklet Work in Penal Institutions, which was ratified on this country's behalf on 18th September, 1975 that rates for work in penal institutions in the Community should be brought into line with remuneration for comparable work outside.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prisoners' Remuneration.
46.
The resolution in question deals with a number of matters of which remuneration is only one. In general, the developments recommended were in the course of implementation in this country and further progress continues to be made.
The recommendation which has reference to remuneration is to the effect that states should "adapt conditions of work, performance objectives and remuneration as far as practicable and taking account of the special nature of work in prison with outside standards".
The remuneration of prisoners is a complex matter which I shall consider further in due course. I might add that I recently increased the weekly gratuity paid to prisoners by 200 per cent, that is from 70p to £2.10.