Committee of Public Accounts to examine 2022 Appropriation Accounts with Department of Justice

The meeting at 9.30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Seamus McCarthy, and officials from the Department of Justice led by the Secretary General and Accounting Officer, Oonagh McPhillips.

During the afternoon session, beginning at 1.30pm, the Committee will consider correspondence and other business of the Committee.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The Department of Justice has overall responsibility for public policy and administration concerning criminal and civil justice, national security, equality, disability, and human rights issues. The Department’s overall expenditure during 2022 was €502 million.

“Key issues for the Committee are staffing, procurement, the work of the International Protection Office, oversight and reform of An Garda Síochána, resourcing of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, implementation of the digital first strategy and provision of important regulatory services.

“The Irish Prison Service operates as an office of the Department of Justice and is responsible for the safe and secure custody of persons sentenced to prison, held on remand, or held on immigration matters. Total expenditure by the IPS during 2022 was €413 million.

“Matters for examination by the Committee include operational management of the prison system on a day-to-day basis which will includes all aspects of sentence administration, security, human resources, financial control and service development. The Committee looks forward to examining these issues and related matters with Ms McPhillips and her colleagues.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.