Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners who died by suicide in 2007, 2008 and 2009 under headings (details supplied). [6803/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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All deaths in prison custody are the subject of a Garda investigation and an inquest held in a Coroner's Court. The cause of death is determined by a jury on the basis of the information presented to the Court. There are strategies and plans in place in all institutions for the prevention of suicides. The circumstances of each death in prison custody are also examined by a multi-disciplinary group in each institution. Their objective is to identify, where possible, measures which might be implemented to contribute to a reduction in the risk of deaths in the future. In addition, the Irish Prison Service Steering Group for the Prevention of Self-Harm and Death in the Prison Population provides a forum for collating the reports of the local groups and disseminating significant findings throughout the prison system.

The number of suicides recorded in Irish prisons for the years 2007 and 2008 are 7 and 11 respectively. Statistics for 2009 are not currently available and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.