Paul Murphy
Question:
866. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of different cell or room types of accommodation for prisoners, by metric size, not including the sanitary annex, for all prisons and open centres in the prison estate, by individual prison. [48731/23]
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Paul Murphy
Question:
867. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of different cell or room sizes of accommodation for prisoners by metric size, not including the sanitary annex, for all prisons and open centres in the prison estate, by individual prison, specifically; the number of cells or rooms under six metres square six to eight metres square, eight to 12 metres square, 12 to 16 metres square and 16 to 20 metres square. [48732/23]
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 866 and 867 together.
It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 866 and 867 of 7 November 2023, in which you requested information relating to the number of different cell or room types of accommodation for prisoners, by metric size, not including the sanitary annex, for all prisons and open centres in the prison estate, by individual prison specifically; the number of cells or rooms under six meters square six to eight meters square, eight to 12 meters square, 12 to 16 meters square and 16 to 20 meters square. The information requested by the Deputy on the number of cells and rooms for prisoners by metric size is set out in the attached tables.
I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that a comprehensive audit of cellular accommodation was carried out in March 2021 across the prison estate. The information provided in the tables includes the total floor space of each prison cell/room including the sanitary facilities. Information on the size of cells/rooms excluding sanitary facilities is not available.
As the Deputy may be aware the prison estate in Ireland includes a mix of accommodation types including basic prison cells, en-suite rooms, dormitory style accommodation, wheelchair accessible cells, and special observation cells. Prison accommodation blocks range in age of construction from accommodation built in the mid-19th Century to the most recent accommodation opened in Limerick Prison this year.
Prison accommodation has evolved significantly in terms of size and facilities in recent years with all new cells now built to 12m2 with a full sanitary suite including toilet, wash hand basin and shower area.
Question No. 867 answered with Question No. 866.
