Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 32: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a policy of one person, one cell in prisons here; and the strategy he has to implement such a policy. [29713/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison cells currently accommodating one prisoner or more; the number of such cells currently accommodating four or more prisoners; the highest number of prisoners currently occupying a single cell; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30023/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 130 together.

There has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population in Ireland over recent years. The problem of prison overcrowding therefore remains a challenging issue which unfortunately cannot be resolved overnight.

Given the current number of prisoners in custody - 4,493 on 14th June 2012 - the Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide single cell accommodation to all prisoners. Single cell occupancy across the system would result in a bed capacity of less than 3,000 and would not be possible to achieve without releasing sizeable numbers of prisoners considered to represent a threat to public safety.

It must be borne in mind that prisoners are housed together for reasons other than lack of capacity. Family members, friends and co-accused prisoners often elect or are assigned a shared cell. Shared cell accommodation can be very beneficial from a management point of view particularly for those who are vulnerable and at risk of self-harm. There will always be a need for certain prisoners to be accommodated together.

On the 30th April I launched the Irish Prison Service 3-Year Strategic Plan for the period 2012-2015. In accordance with this Strategy, it is the intention of the Irish Prison Service, over the coming three years, to seek to align the capacity of our prisons with the guidelines laid down by the Inspector of Prisons, in so far as this is compatible with public safety and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

The Inspector of Prisons recommended capacity for individual prisons is based on single cell occupancy in cells of 7m2 with in cell sanitation and an additional 4m2 for each additional prisoner - for example double cell occupancy in an 11m2 cell, triple cell occupancy in a 15m2 cell. It is also the intention of the Irish Prison Service, during the lifetime of the Strategy, to provide in cell sanitation in all remaining areas of the prison estate. The attached table outlines the number of prisoners per cell in each prison and place of detention for the week ending 17 June, 2012.

* Mountjoy Female, Loughan House, Shelton Abbey and 'The Grove' area of Castlerea Prison comprise of dormitory style accommodation with a variety of room sizes.