Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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140. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of ensuring each prisoner resides in single cell accommodation. [9914/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that figures in relation to cell occupancy levels are published on a quarterly basis on their website . The latest cell accommodation census was produced in January this year and showed that on 18 January 2017 there was 3,643 prisoners in custody and 2,007 (approximately 55%) had access to single cells.

It is clear, given the current number of prisoners in custody, that the Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide single cell accommodation to all prisoners at this time. I can inform the Deputy that all committals are assessed upon arrival to prison. This assessment process also seeks to ensure that wherever possible, prisoners are accommodated in cells appropriate to their needs. Some prisoners are more suited to multi-occupancy cells, while others are more suited to single-cell occupancy. 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.

It is not possible to provide the cost of ensuring each prisoner resides in single cell accommodation as requested by the Deputy as there are too many variables to be considered in terms of building costs, new build, updating existing facilities, staff cost, services for prisoners, bedding, furniture, etc.