Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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199. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of male and female prisoners under 21 years of age; the number in each of the institutions in which they are held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26323/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the total number of persons under 21 years of age in prison custody on 27 May, 2013 was 274. This figure is made up of 273 males and 1 female. Their location is set out in the following table.

As the above figures illustrate, a significant percentage (57%) of prisoners in this age category are detained in St Patrick's Institution which is the State's designated committal institution for males aged 17 to 21 years of age and accommodates both remand and sentenced prisoners. Of the 274 in question 20 were under the age of 18 and were accommodated in a special unit (B Division) of St. Patrick's Institution. The unit has a bed capacity of 44 and is self-contained. This has created an enhanced regime for under -18s, with communal dining.

The balance of persons in the other institutions are generally located in those places in order to facilitate family visits or to assist in their reintegration back into the community.