Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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728. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners in total and in each institution that are at present in custody; the number required to slop out in each institution; the number required to use normal toilet facilities in the presence of others in each institution; the number that are sole occupants of a cell that has a normal flush toilet installed or have access at all times to normal toilet facilities in each institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27517/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I refer to your parliamentary question for written answer on Tuesday 11th June 2013. The information has been collated and is set out in the tables below. Unfortunately, the issue of slopping out cannot be resolved overnight. However, I can assure you that the Government is committed to the elimination of slopping out in all prisons and places of detention.

I am pleased to note that the number of prisoners currently slopping out has decreased by over 32% in the past 12 months from 836 to 565 and will reduce further to 360 in September this year when the D Division in Mountjoy closes for refurbishment. This refurbishment project, which forms part of a 40-month Capital Plan, published in April 2012 as part of the Prison service Three Year Strategic Plan 2012-2015, includes the installation of in-cell sanitation to all cells in Mountjoy Prison. You will be aware that the C and B wings were completed in 2012 and work on the A wing is due for completion in September this year. As I have said, slopping out will finally end in Mountjoy Prison, later this year, when work on the final wing, the D wing, commences.

In addition, construction of a new prison in Cork, on the site of the current car park and adjacent green-field site will also commence this year. This new prison will have a capacity of 275 and will replace the existing outdated prison with modern cellular accommodation containing in-cell sanitation and showering facilities supported by a full range of ancillary services. The construction of a new wing at Limerick Prison, to replace the outdated A and B Wings, also forms part of the 40-month capital plan and the tender process for this project is expected to commence in June.

You will be aware that a new accommodation block for in the Midlands Prison was opened in December 2012. The opening of this new accommodation block has allowed the Prison Service to reduce the capacities of both Cork and Limerick Prison resulting in the closure of antiquated B wing of Limerick Prison.

Number in custody on 5th June 2013.

In May 2013, approximately 86% or 3,668 of the prisoners in custody across the prison system had access to in-cell sanitation or had access to normal toilet facilities at all times. A detailed breakdown is set out in the following table.