Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and percentage figure of the juvenile population at St. Patrick's Institution, Dublin, who have requested to be held on protection during each of the last five years. [35658/11]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of children in St. Patrick's Institution, Dublin, who have been held in single separation for reasons of protection during each of the last five years. [35659/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 422 together.

The number of requests made by prisoners for protection during the past five years is not centrally recorded by the Irish Prison Service. However, the total number of prisoners held on protection in St. Patrick's Institution, including prisoners who were over 18 years of age, for the last five years is outlined in the table.

* year as at 30/31 October in each case

As of 31 October 2011, out of the total figure of 63 on protection in St Patrick's, 8 of these were juveniles (16 and 17 year olds) who were held on a restricted regime for safety and security reasons. The gathering of the exact information requested for a similar breakdown of protection figures for the years 2007- 2010 would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.

Finally, the Deputy may wish to note that it is at the committal stage that the majority of prisoners seek protection. 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.