Written answers

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Irish Prison Service

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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660. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 388 of 01 July 2014, the number of young people under 18 years of age, with a breakdown on a monthly basis, who have been on remand in St. Patrick’s Institution from 30 June 2014 to date; and the current status of plans to put alternative arrangements in place to detain remand prisoners under 18 years of age in detention facilities other than St. Patrick’s Institution. [34289/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Prison Service publishes on its website (www.irishprisons.ie) prisoner population figures for all institutions on a daily basis. The number of those under 18 year years of age remanded in custody to St. Patrick's Institution can change on a daily basis depending on court outcomes.

However I can advise the Deputy that on Wednesday 30th July, 2014, there were two 17 year old children detained at St Patrick's Institution. On Friday 29th August, 2014, there were four 17 year old children detained at St Patrick's Institution.

In line with recommendations of the Inspector of Prisons to effect changes in regime and culture and to ensure the safe and secure custody of juvenile and young adult offenders, a Government decision was taken to close St. Patrick’s Institution and disperse, where possible, 17 - 20 year old prisoners to other locations.

Pending the development of new facilities in Oberstown which are currently under construction, 17 year old children on remand must remain detained at St Patrick's Institution for legal reasons. There are no prisoners including those under 18 years of age serving a sentence in St Patrick's Institution.

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