Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
795. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the composition of prison visiting committees for each of the prisons in the State; the name of each committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38976/26]
View answer796. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the process for appointing a person to a prison visiting committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38977/26]
View answer797. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications he has received in respect of membership of prison visiting committees for 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38978/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 795, 796 and 797 together.
The work undertaken by Prison Visiting Committees provides an invaluable perspective on our prisons and the experiences of those in their care, and ensures important issues are highlighted.
There are currently 12 Prison Visiting Committees (Limerick Male and Female Prisons both fall under one committee) covering all 13 prisons. The names of the committees and committee members are included in the published Annual Reports of the Prison Visiting Committees, which are available on the gov.ie website.
The current composition of the Prison Visiting Committees is broken down as follows:
|
Prison Committee |
Members |
Prison Committee |
Members |
|
Arbour Hill |
8 |
Loughan House |
6 |
|
Castlerea |
9 |
Midlands |
9 |
|
Cloverhill |
6 |
Mountjoy |
6 |
|
Cork |
9 |
Portlaoise |
6 |
|
Dóchas |
7 |
Shelton Abbey |
9 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
Wheatfield |
8 |
I can advise the Deputy that the number of applications to join a Prison Visiting Committee in 2024 was 16.
In 2025, my Department invited expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates for consideration for appointment to a Prison Visiting Committee. This followed on from the review of the Prison Visiting Committees, published in April 2023, which included a recommendation to establish an Appointments Process to run regular public competitions for a panel of qualified individuals for consideration for appointment by the Minister.
The expression of interest was run in conjunction with State Boards (Public Appointments Service) and there were 91 applications received. An assessment panel was formed to recommend applicants for appointment. Applicants were informed of the results of their applications in December 2025. Successful applicants were subject to Garda vetting and following completion of this were appointed to their respective committees as of 20 April 2026.
To date in 2026 there have been 12 applications received, and a further expression of interest process will be undertaken in June 2026 to fill existing vacancies and those arising in the future.
