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.
7th October 2003
484. Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of paedophiles that are registered in the catchment area covering the proposed probation office in the Donaghmede shopping centre, Dublin 13; the number that will be using this office; if the review of the office's services and its impact on the community will commence prior to the local elections in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22249/03]
7th October 2003
500. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the recent survey finding that there is a strong link between low literacy levels and violent crime and crimes against property; the measures he intends to take in view of this finding; his views on whether investment in prisoner education, literacy and training programmes is an investment in crime prevention and prevention of recidivism, and thus also a source of potential cost savings under other line items, such as the high costs of incarceration; if he intends to restore and increase funding to prisoner education programmes that were cut in Budget 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22433/03]
2nd October 2003
267. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount which has been spent on upgrading facilities at Mountjoy prison each year for the past ten years. [21809/03]
2nd October 2003
268. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Prison Service has informed him as to when they are going to centralise prison statistics to allow for collection of data in relation to drug use and in relation to self-inflicted injuries in places of detention here. [21810/03]
1st October 2003
305. Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount spent on the prison facility on Spike Island, Cork since it was taken over by his Department by way of construction and refurbishment of buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21484/03]\ 306. Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concern being expressed by staff and their families in addition to the prisoners regarding the possible closure of Fort Mitchell Prison, Spike Island in view of the financial and emotional upheaval that transfers would cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21486/03]\ 307. Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consideration that has been given to providing a bridge to Fort Mitchell Prison which over time would significantly reduce costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21487/03]
1st October 2003
297. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he believes that it is just to privatise prisons in view of the fact that corporations that imprison people for profit depend upon greater numbers of people to be imprisoned in order to maximise that profit. [21377/03]\ 298. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he believes that the privatisation of prisons meets with international approval and best practice. [21378/03]\ 300. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans the Government has to introduce privatised prisons in Ireland. [21380/03]
1st October 2003
299. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps that have been taken to address the root causes of crime; and the steps taken to reduce the number of people in Irish prisons. [21379/03]
30th September 2003
1123. Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the desirability of expanding community restorative justice schemes across Ireland; the work which has been done in examining this area; and his plans to address the problem, predominant in working class areas, of a high level of distrust between the local community and the Gardaí. [19810/03]
30th September 2003
1171. Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the newspaper reports (details supplied) that indicate that prisoners achieved high grades in the leaving certificate in excess of many public and private schools; and his views on whether prisoners who receive a quality education in prison are far less likely to reoffend. [20330/03]\ 1172. Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if figures are available comparing the recidivism rates of prisoners who receive an education while incarcerated and those who do not; and the identity of same. [20331/03]
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.