15th October 2003
124. Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to reduce the cost of keeping prisoners in custody; the reason it costs more than €200,000 per year to keep a prisoner in Portlaoise Prison, but less than half that amount in Mountjoy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23366/03]
15th October 2003
101. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the agreement which has been reached between the Department of Health and Children and his Department regarding who is responsible for the provision of mental health services for prisoners and the way in which they should be provided since the 2001 report of the group to review the structure and organisation of prison health care services was published. [23437/03]
15th October 2003
60. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Government's plans for privatising aspects of the criminal justice system, including prisons; and the reasons for same. [23467/03]\ 62. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans in development by the Government for the privatisation of prisons outside of the current package of measures under negotiation with the Prison Officers' Association. [23468/03]
15th October 2003
109. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the promised prison observation cells to replace padded cells fully comply with international human rights standards for prisoners with, or at risk, of mental health problems; and the way in which this will be verified by an independent authority. [23441/03]
15th October 2003
61. Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he plans to take to redress the high level of sick leave as identified by the Comptroller and Auditor General among prison officers. [23503/03]
15th October 2003
127. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the service level agreement referred to in the Government's response to the CPT, and originally promised by the end of 2002 will be ready. [23433/03]
15th October 2003
65. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans in development to privatise prisons should the current negotiations with the Prison Officers' Association collapse. [23432/03]\ 121. Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the privatisation of prisons is not under consideration by the Government in any circumstance. [23439/03]\ 122. Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals for privatising all or any part of the prison system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23358/03]
15th October 2003
66. Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals for the future of Mountjoy Prison, especially in view of the recommendation from the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention that it should be demolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23364/03]
14th October 2003
450. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Ireland has the highest rate of juvenile incarceration within the EU; and the rates of incarceration for juveniles here and elsewhere in Europe. [22882/03]
9th October 2003
191. Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons on the sex offenders register at the end of September 2003. [22776/03]\ Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I am informed by the Garda authorities that 506 persons were subject to the requirements of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, as of the end of September, 2003.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.