Prison Committals.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 March 2010

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Ceisteanna (251)

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

295 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons committed to prison for non-payment of fines and non-payment of debt in the year 2009. [10326/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The number of persons committed to prison for the non-payment of fines in 2009 was 62. I can advise the Deputy that the number of such persons held in custody at any one time is a minute fraction of the overall prisoner population and that I expect the number of committals for non-payment of fines to fall substantially once the Fines Bill 2009 has been enacted and brought into force. Statistics relating to the number of committals in respect of debt related issues are not currently available and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.