Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2016
116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners on parole of short, medium or long duration in each of the past six years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27758/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware periods of temporary release granted can vary greatly from a few hours following a family bereavement to, for example, a requirement to report to the prison every 12 months in the case of a life sentence prisoner who has been released into the community a considerable time ago.
It is not possible to provide figures to the Deputy for all forms of temporary release as this would require the manual examination of records. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.
I can advise the Deputy that the number of prisoners on temporary release on 27 September 2016 was 369 which represented approximately 8 % of the overall prison population.
