Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2019
138. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the bed capacity of the Prison Service; the percentage that is single cell accommodation; the percentage that is double cell accommodation; the percentage housed in cells with three persons or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44146/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners without 24-hour access to in-cell sanitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44151/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 142 together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that figures in relation to cell occupancy levels and in-cell sanitation are collated by the Irish Prison Service Statistics Unit for publication quarterly on its website.
This information is on the Prisons Service website, in the Information Centre, under "Statistics and Information - Census Reports" at http://www.irishprisons.ie.
As of 21 October 2019, there were a total of 3,968 prisoners in custody. Single cell occupancy across the prisons system would result in a bed capacity of less than 3,000. Accordingly, the Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide single cell accommodation to all prisoners.
Further and in any event, it should be noted that regardless of capacity in some cases prisoners are housed together for other reasons. For example, 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. There will always be a need for certain prisoners to be accommodated together.
Regarding sanitation, it is important to note that there has been significant reform and modernisation of the Prison Estate in recent years which has delivered in cell sanitation to Cork and Mountjoy Prisons. The current Limerick Prison redevelopment will deliver in cell sanitation for all prisoners in this prison.
