Written answers

Thursday, 27 June 2024

Department of Justice and Equality

Departmental Schemes

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

203. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons enrolled on community return schemes, by area, over the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27700/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Community Return Scheme is an incentivised early release scheme, co-managed by the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service, whereby people can be approved for reviewable temporary release coupled with a requirement to complete community service work in a supervised group setting under the supervision of the Probation Service.

Decisions regarding temporary release to take part in the Community Return Scheme are delegated to designated senior officials employed in Irish Prison Service Headquarters. In assessment of suitability, a number of factors are taken into account, including:

  • the nature and gravity of the offence to which the sentence relates
  • the sentence concerned and any recommendation made by the Court in relation to the sentence imposed
  • the person's previous criminal record
  • the potential threat to the safety and security of the public should the person be released
  • the risk that the person might commit an offence during any period of temporary release
  • the risk of the person failing to comply with any of the conditions of temporary release
From its inception in 2011 to the end of 2023, 3,379 people have been released early from prison to take part in the Community Return Scheme.

The following information, provided in tabular form as requested, contains figures obtained from the Irish Prison Service detailing the number of persons released onto Community Return over the past five years by geographical region.

Geographical Region 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Dublin 93 146 95 83 107
Rest of Leinster 39 51 42 30 38
Munster 64 77 57 50 47
Connaught/Ulster 10 13 24 13 21
Total 206 287 218 176 213

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.