Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate and sufficient prison spaces are available to meet requirements at the present time 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. [35199/16]

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 4,202. On 15th November, 2016 there were 3,686 prisoners in custody. This represents 88% occupancy.

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.

I am satisfied that there are adequate spaces in the prison estate, and these spaces are configured appropriately, to deal with all categories of prisoners.