asked the Minister for Justice if there are any support facilities available in the State to provide advice, encouragement and assistance particularly in regard to employment for released prisoners; and if he has any proposals for the extension of such facilities.

At present 18 welfare officers are assigned to the prisons and places of detention administered by my Department. Among the services they provide are those listed by the Deputy. Welfare officers of my Department serving elsewhere also assist persons who have been released from detention. The total strength of the welfare service at present is 72 and the recruitment of a further 50 officers is in train.

Would the Minister accept that lack of employment for released prisoners is a great incentive to return to crime? Assuming that the Minister accepts this, does he feel that there is need for some greater effort or special placement officers to help released prisoners to stay on the straight and narrow?

I do. It was with this in mind that I got the Government's agreement to a suggestion to recruit an extra 50 welfare officers to help those released from prison. They will help in every way they can to keep them out of trouble.

Has the Minister any statistics of the number of released prisoners able to obtain employment?

I would need notice of that question.