Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the number of prisoners who are held under protection within the State's jails; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32782/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Prison Service is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our prisoners. The fact that prison management immediately separates prisoners seeking protection from the general prison population or from specific prisoners identified as presenting a threat, clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Irish Prison Service to ensuring safety and security.

It is at the committal stage that the majority of prisoners seek protection. External influences imported to the prison on committal include gang rivalry, drug debts and perceived co-operation with the Gardaí. On committal, all prisoners are interviewed by the Governor and based on the information available, a decision is made as to where a particular prisoner will be accommodated. On occasion, a prisoner may be put on protection by the Irish Prison Service. From time to time intelligence becomes available to the Irish Prison Service which dictates that it may be prudent for particular individuals to be put on protection, for that individual's own safety. This is not, however, a frequent occurrence.