Parliamentary Question: Prison Visiting Committees

18th February 2003

415. Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the professional advice available to prison visiting committees to enable them to assess the quality of the catering facilities at each prison here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4338/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): As I previously explained to the House, a visiting committee is appointed to each prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order, 1925.
The function of visiting committees is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints which may be made to them by any prisoner. They report to me any abuses observed or found by them in the prison and any repairs which they think may be urgently needed. The visiting committee have free access, either collectively or individually, to every part of their prison. In inspecting prisons, the visiting committees focus on issues such as the quality of accommodation and the catering, medical, educational and welfare services and recreational facilities.

Qualified catering staff are attached to the various prisons and places of detention. In the course of their inspections of the catering areas, the visiting committees meet these staff. Where difficulties are highlighted or identified, the issues are raised by the committee with the local prison authorities or may be referred to me as is provided for under the legislation.

The Deputy might wish to note that independent audits of prison catering services are conducted by CERT on an annual basis, the results of which are available to prison visiting committees. A number of prison institutions have been successful in obtaining the hygiene mark for their catering services, which is awarded by Excellence Ireland.