Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

305. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners across the closed prison estate that have access to communal dining. [32292/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that there are no facilities for communal dining in the closed prisons, with the exception of the Grove Unit in Castlerea Prison (approximately 38 prisoners) and the Independent Living Skills Unit in Wheatfield Prison (approximately 12 prisoners). I am further informed by the Irish Prison Service that a number of enhanced regime prisoners involved in activities such as laundry, kitchen, and grounds maintenance duties in the closed prisons avail of communal dining facilities during the working day. This number fluctuates on a daily basis but would amount to around 290 prisoners.