Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who were placed in padded cells in 2005 and 2006. [9443/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have honoured my commitment to abolish the use of old style padded cells with the introduction of newly designed and improved cells. Information relating to the instances of placement of prisoners in close supervision and special observation cells are set out in the following table. These figures are composite in nature and include placement in both types of cells. On occasion, it is a matter of practical necessity to put some prisoners in a place of safety within the prison system when they prove difficult to manage in the general prison population or where authorised by a Prison Doctor for medical observation or for the prisoner's own protection if he/she has suicidal tendencies.