Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which prison places remain available for juvenile offenders; the number of such places currently occupied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36066/14]

Frances 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.

I wish to advise the Deputy that on Monday 22 September, 2014, there were five 17 year old prisoners detained on remand 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, prisoners to other locations. However, 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.

In line with the Government decision an area of Wheatfield Prison was renovated to house 17 year old sentenced prisoners pending the completion of the Oberstown facilities. This unit can hold up to 16 prisoners and all sentenced 17 year old prisoners are housed there. On Monday 22 September, 2014 there were nine 17 year old sentenced prisoners in the Wheatfield unit.