Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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255. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time individual prisoners spent in safety observation cells and high-support units in 2018 and to date in 2019; the longest duration of time spent in each type of cell over the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52613/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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It has not been possible for the Irish Prison Service to collate the information sought in the timeframe available, as it entails a manual check of each individual prisons records for the periods in question.  I have asked the Prison Service for the relevant information and I will write directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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256. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners categorised as homeless on committal to prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52614/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the following table sets out the number of prisoners who at the time of their committal were recorded as having declared their accommodation status as ‘no fixed abode’ in each of the past 5 years.  It should be noted that it is the individual's own choice whether or not to disclose their homeless status to the prison authorities. 

In practical terms, it may also be noted that a number of prisoners entering custody, particularly in urban areas, have been living in private rented accommodation so tenancy can often be lost on committal to prison.

I am advised that, if a sentenced prisoner informs prison authorities that they were homeless prior to coming into custody or that they are at risk of homelessness on release, they are then referred to the prison-based resettlement service. The resettlement service works with the prisoner and the relevant local authority to identify possible accommodation solutions in preparation for their release and reintegration to the community.

The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that, in 2018, the Resettlement Service assisted 414 prisoners to make applications for social housing and worked with local authorities to provide details of housing requirements prior to release.  I am informed that this year, to the end of October 2019, the Resettlement Service had submitted 303 such applications for social housing.  The Deputy may also be interested to know that this year, as of end October 2019, the Resettlement Service has engaged with 1,796 prisoners in custody to address various resettlement needs including housing, social welfare and/or medical supports.