203 sent to prison for debt

The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, is to consider options other than prison for those who default on debts. He told Mr Jim O'Keeffe (FG, Cork South-West) 203 people went to prison last year for non-payment of debts or fines. A further 220 defaulters were imprisoned in 1995 and 240 in 1994. The Minister said debtors comprised less than 0.5 per cent of the prison population on any one day. Mr O'Donoghue said in a written reply that it would be necessary to ensure than any alternatives to custody which might be introduced would secure compliance with Court orders relating to debt.