Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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164. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate and appropriate space remains available throughout the Irish 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [30000/18]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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169. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate and sufficient prison spaces are available to meet requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30005/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 169 together.

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that as of 4 July 2018 there were 4,000 prisoners in custody with a bed capacity of 4,269 which allows for the safe and secure custody for all categories of prisoner. This equates to an occupancy rate of 94%.

I can inform the Deputy that all committals to the prison service are dealt with in a manner which protects the safety of the prisoners 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, the nature of the offence, criminal connections and possible conflicts with other prisoners.

The Deputy will appreciate that my officials are concentrating on aligning our prisoner population numbers with the Inspector of Prisons' recommendations in those prisons which are currently over capacity, namely Limerick Prison, the Dochas Centre and Cork Prison. It must be acknowledged that the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts and they do not have the option of refusing to take prisoners into custody whether sentenced, on remand or awaiting trial. Currently, there are particularly high numbers of prisoners on remand or awaiting trial in custody. On 4 July 2018, 17% of the overall prisoner population were on remand or awaiting trial. These prisoners must remain in custody until such time as they are either sentenced or released by the Courts Service.

My officials in the Irish Prison Service continue to work closely with Governors and prison-based services in the prisons which are currently over capacity, towards identifying prisoners who may be suitable for transfer to another prison or for prisoners who may be suitable for structured early release, in order to reduce numbers and improve the living and working conditions for both prisoners and staff in these prisons.

Works on the replacement of the B Division at Limerick Prison which will accommodate approximately 100 male prisoners and a new unit for 50 female prisoners on the site of Limerick Prison are expected to commence in late summer and will hopefully be completed within 33 months. This project will greatly improve the living conditions for the male and female prisoners in Limerick Prison, and bring additional capacity to the system as a whole.