Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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559. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in prison and the number in each institution; the total number of prisoners not held in single cells or rooms; and the number of these in each institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21369/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the average number of prisoners in custody in Ireland has risen in recent years, from 3,321 during 2007 to 4,318 during 2012, an increase of over 30%. Likewise the total number of committals to prison has also risen sharply during the same period, from 11,934 in 2007 to 17,026 in 2012 – an increase of over 43%. 2013 saw the first significant decrease in prison numbers since 2007. There were 15,735 committals to prison in 2013 which was a decrease of 7.6% on the 2012 figure. However given the current number of prisoners in custody - 4,013 on 12 May 2014 - the Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide single cell accommodation to all prisoners. Single cell occupancy across the system would result in a bed capacity of approximately 3,200 and would not be possible to achieve without releasing sizeable numbers of prisoners considered to represent a threat to public safety. However, I can advise the Deputy that on 1st April 2014 almost 50% of all prisoners in custody on that day (4,103) were accommodated in single cell accommodation. In addition, 1,528 or 37% were accommodated in double occupancy cells with the remainder, (531) accommodated in cells with 3 or more persons. Of this 56 were accommodated in dormitory style accommodation in Shelton Abbey. The majority of those housed in double cells are housed in our newer prisons where the cells are larger and conform to the standards for double occupancy as set out by the Inspector of Prisons.

As the Deputy is aware the Irish Prison Service is in the process of redeveloping all wings in Mountjoy Prison with refurbishment work on the A, B and C Wings now complete. Following the refurbishment of each wing, all cells are being returned to single occupancy status. In this regard, the Deputy will note from the figures set out in the table below that on 1 April 2014, 543 prisoners, or 92% of those in custody in Mountjoy prison, were in single cells. It should be borne in mind that in certain cases prisoners are housed together for reasons other than lack of capacity. Family members and friends often elect or are assigned a shared cell. Shared cell accommodation can be very beneficial from a management point of view particularly for those who are vulnerable and at risk of self-harm. There will always be a need for certain prisoners to be accommodated together.

As outlined in the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan, it is intended to align the capacity of our prisons with the guidelines laid down by the Inspector of Prisons by 2014, in so far as this is compatible with public safety and the integrity of the criminal justice system. Details of cell occupancy for all prisons, as requested by the Deputy, is set out in the following table and is reflective of the information available on 1 April 2014.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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560. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of prisoners in total and in each institution that are at present in custody; the number required to slop out; the number required to use normal toilet facilities in the presence of others; 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; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21370/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government committed, in the Programme for Government, to the ending of slopping out in the prison system. I can advise the Deputy that the number of prisoners slopping out in the prison system has reduced from 1,003 at the end of 2010 to the current level of 334 (on 1 April 2014), a reduction of 67%. Of the 334 currently slopping out, 226 prisoners are accommodated in Cork Prison with 46 and 59 prisoners accommodated in Limerick and Portlaoise Prisons respectively.

In April 2012, the Irish Prison Service published a 3-Year Strategic Plan which included a 40 month capital plan to provide in-cell sanitation in all cells and radically improve prison conditions in the older parts of the prison estate. The construction of a new prison in Cork, to replace the existing outdated facility, commenced in late January 2014, and is expected to be completed by July of 2015. Allowing for fit-out, systems commissioning and training of staff, it is expected that the new prison will be ready for operational use by December 2015. This project marks the largest single investment ever in the prison estate and in these times of continuing financial difficulty it represents a very important commitment on the part of Government to the modernisation of the prison estate and in particular to the elimination of slopping out.

In addition to the substantial commitment to Cork prison, the modernisation of Mountjoy prison continues with the refurbishment of the A, B and C wings now complete. The D wing has been closed to facilitate the final stage of refurbishment and as a result the practice of slopping out is consigned to history in Mountjoy prison. Every prisoner in Mountjoy now has access to in-cell sanitation. A contract for the refurbishment work on the D wing will be signed shortly and the works will be completed by March 2015. Similarly, a Development Plan for Limerick Prison is at an advanced stage and is due for completion by the end of July with a view to the commencement of the development works there on a phased basis starting in late 2015. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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561. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of prisoners in total and in each institution that are locked up for 23 hours or more in a normal day; for 22 to 23 hours in a normal day; for 20 to 22 hours in a normal day; for 18 to 20 hours in a normal day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21373/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The restriction of a prisoner's regime can occur due to a number of factors including, the protection of vulnerable prisoners. This is provided for under Rule 63 of the Prison Rules 2007 which states that a prisoner may, either at his/her own request or when the Governor considers it necessary, in so far as is practicable and subject to the maintenance and good order and safe and secure custody, be kept separate from other prisoners who are reasonably likely to cause significant harm to him/her.

The fact that prisoners seeking protection are immediately separated from the general population or from specific prisoners identified as presenting a threat, clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Irish Prison Service to ensure their safety and security. The status of each prisoner on restricted regime within the prison system is regularly reviewed. If possible, prisoners can be transferred to other institutions where a restricted regime would not be necessary.

In addition, the Governor may decide, for the maintenance of good order in the prison, to remove a prisoner from general association or structured activity to reduce the negative effect that a prisoner or prisoners may have on the general population. This is provided for under Rule 62 of the Prison Rules 2007. There may also be a smaller number of prisoners who would be restricted for medical (Rule 64) or discipline reasons (Rule 67). In July last year, the Director General of the Irish Prison Service established a high level group to look at measures which can be introduced to reduce the number of prisoners currently held on restricted regimes with a view to ensuring that all receive, as a minimum standard, out of cell time of 3 hours per day, to engage in exercise or activity.

Since July 2013, the number of prisoners on a restricted regime has reduced from 339 to 261, a reduction of 23%. Of the 261 currently on a restricted regime, 228 were for protection reasons (of which 226 were there at their own request). 26 prisoners had there regime restricted on grounds of order (Rule 62). In addition the number of prisoners restricted to 22 or 23 hour lock up has reduced from 211 in July 2013 to 43 in April 2014, a reduction of 168 or almost 80%. A full breakdown of the number of prisoners on a restricted regime, on 1 April 2014, is set out in the following table:

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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562. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners under 21 years of age; the number in each of the institutions in which they are held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21375/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table as of the 12 May 2014.

In line with the recommendation of the Inspector of Prisons and in order to effect the changes necessary in regime and culture and to ensure the safe and secure custody, a decision was taken to close St. Patrick’s Institution and disperse all 17 - 20 year old prisoners and to other locations. Pending the development of new facilities in Oberstown in mid 2014, for which the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has responsibility, this involved the transfer of all 17 year olds serving a sentence in St. Patrick’s Institution to a dedicated Unit in Wheatfield Place of Detention and the transfer of the 18 to 20 year old population to Wheatfield Place of Detention also. Prisoners continue to be committed for a period of detention to St. Patrick’s Institution. They are accommodated in a dedicated committal and assessment unit for up to 24 hours (B Wing). From here, prisoners will be dispersed to Wheatfield Place of Detention. There are currently 2 remand prisoners currently 17 years of age who, for legal reasons, must remain in St. Patrick's Institution pending the completion of building works at Oberstown, County Dublin.