Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the protection regime in St. Patrick's Institution, Dublin, which can see children locked up for up to 23 hours a day with little access to education, physical activity and association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33341/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that on 18 September, 2012, there were 28 prisoners aged 17 detained in St Patrick's Institution and of these 2 prisoners were subject to a restricted regime. Persons under protective custody (Rule 63) must be interviewed and reviewed by prison management each month. The findings and comments of the prisoners are recorded each and every month along with the decision of the Governor and the reasons why this rule is being applied. Every effort is made to ensure that those prisoners who cannot associate freely with the general prison population have the greatest possible access to services. The Deputy will appreciate the overriding responsibility that the Prison Service has in relation to the provision of safe and secure custody and that there are a small number of prisoners who must serve their sentence or part thereof without contact from other prisoners for very specific reasons.