Up to 176 prisoners will be granted temporary release on compassionate grounds this Christmas, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern announced today.
Mr Ahern said the prisoners being released are nearing the end of their sentences with more than half incarcerated in lower security institutions such as Loughan House in Co Cavan and Shelton Abbey in Co Wicklow.
The periods of release vary from a few hours up to seven nights. In some cases a condition of house arrest or a requirement to report to the local Garda station apply.
Mr Ahern said the releases are subject to stringent conditions and the criteria taken into account before an application is approved include the nature and gravity of the offence, length of sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release, behaviour while in custody and previous criminal history.
The granting of temporary release comes under the Criminal Justice Act 1960.
Last year 107 were freed, while 138 were let out in 2007 and 238 in 2006.