Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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315. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate and appropriate space remains available throughout the Prison Service to accommodate the various categories of prisoner with particular reference to the need to segregate serious offenders from those found guilty of less serious crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44384/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,126. On 14th November, 2014 there were 3,789 prisoners in custody. This represents 92% occupancy.

I wish to inform the Deputy that at the end of October 2014, there were 3,143 usable cells in the prison system. 2,026 prisoners were accommodated in single cells which accounted for 53% of all prisoners (3,806). In addition, there were 687 cells which accommodated 2 prisoners, 94 cells which accommodated 3 prisoners and 28 cells which accommodated 4 or more prisoners. As the Deputy will appreciate the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts into its custody and does not have the option of refusing committals.

I can inform the Deputy that all committals to the prison service are dealt with in a manner which ensures the safety of the prisoner themselves, the staff and the entire prisoner population. Each prisoner is placed in accommodation deemed appropriate to the individual based on the information made available to the prison staff on committal, which would include, health, offence, criminal connections and possible conflicts with other prisoners.

There are 14 institutions in the Irish prison system consisting of 11 traditional 'closed' prisons, 2 open centres and 1 semi-open centre. The profile of each institution is outlined in the following table:

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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316. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which overcrowding remains an issue in both male and female prisoners throughout the country; if measures are in hand to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44385/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the primary role of the Irish Prison Service is to provide safe and secure custody for prisoners. The Deputy will also be aware that the Prison Service must accept all persons committed by the courts into custody and does not have the option of refusing committals.

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 in 2014, in so far as this is compatible with public safety and the integrity of the criminal justice system. The Inspector of Prisons has recommended a total of 3,982 prisoners in custody. As of 16 November 2014 there was 3,739 prisoners in custody, or 94% of the Inspector's recommended total.

A full breakdown to include, capacity, number in custody and percentage of bed capacity is set out in the following table as of November 16th 2014.