22nd October 2003
247. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total annual cost for prisoner escorts in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. [24581/03]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The need to escort prisoners outside penal institutions arises routinely in a number of contexts. The costs involved would comprise staff payroll costs including staff overtime costs, subsistence, and other allowances, as well as transportation costs.
The current financial system which is being revised does not, at this juncture, enable the various costs apportioned to all of these escort activities to be comprehensively identified. Therefore, I am not in a position to provide the information sought on the total annual cost of prisoner escorts for the years stated by the Deputy.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.