18th May 2004
375. Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who have been imprisoned in the past 12 months for the non-payment of a fine and for the non-payment of a debt or other monetary payment; the number imprisoned on such basis as at 14 May 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14439/04]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The information requested by the Deputy in relation to figures for the past 12 months is not readily available. I will, however, forward the information to the Deputy once the figures have been compiled by the Irish Prison Service.
The most accurate figures available to me relate to 17 May 2004. On that day there was a total of 38 persons in prison custody for non-payment of fines. Twelve of these persons were also serving sentences for other offences for which there was no option of paying a fine in lieu of imprisonment. A further two persons were also remanded in custody on other charges as well as serving sentences for defaulting on fine payments. There were ten persons in custody arising from civil proceedings for failure to pay debts. The total number of persons, 48, in custody on foot of either fine or debtor warrants equates to a percentage of just under 1.5% of persons in prison custody.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.