THE escape by two women while on an outing from Mountjoy Prison on Thursday was sharply criticised by the Progressive Democrats spokeswoman on justice yesterday.
Ms Liz O'Donnell called for the establishment of a Prison Services Executive to inject "accountable management systems" into the service.
She added that at a cost of £2 million a week the Irish taxpayer was entitled to a more effective service.
"This escape, coming as it does hot on the heels of two other escapes from detention of convicted offenders, calls into question the management of prisons and accountability for that management.
There were now officially 1,316 persons "unlawfully at large," according to figures she had been given in the Dail. It was imperative that the Minister for Justice give a commitment to setting up a Prison Services Executive.
"Surely it is administratively curious that there are more prison officers than prisoners within the prison, but in this instance, where the risk of escape was greater, the ratio of prisoners was two to one."
The prisoners, who are still at large, were out for a recreational swim at the Belvedere College pool in Great Denmark Street when they sprinted away to freedom. They were among a group of six prisoners being escorted by three prison officers.
Swimming is one of number of outside recreational interests provided because of lack of facilities for women offenders in Mountjoy.
A spokeswoman for the Department said: "The outing was supervised by prison staff and these are a feature of the educational rehabilitation programme for this offender group. The programme has proved to be very successful and, in fact, this is the first time a female prisoner has ever absconded while on a swimming outing. The Department is confident the two escapees will be back in custody very soon.
One of the escapers, Tracey Hynes (19), from Swan's Nest Court, Kilbarrack, is serving a three year sentence for firearms offences. The second, Michelle Donovan, is serving a 12 month sentence for larceny.