asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who committed suicide in prisons or Garda stations during the past ten years; if he is taking any special measures to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

(Limerick East): Prison records indicate that, up to last December, four offenders in prisons committed suicide. As regards the current year, the position is that in the absence of a formal finding by an inquest, it would not be appropriate for me to classify a death in a prison either as being or as not being suicide. Inquests have yet to be held in three cases.

Offenders whose behaviour suggests that they have psychiatric problems or that they might make an attempt at committing suicide are referred to consultant psychiatrists who visit regularly and, if the psychiatrist considers it necessary, they are transferred to the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, for the necessary treatment.

No matter what measures are taken it is not possible to completely prevent suicides occurring if the persons concerned are determined and are able to conceal their intentions from the supervising staff.

I am satisfied that, when one compares the very small number of suicides in our prisons over the past ten years with the throughput of over 30,000 prisoners in the same period, the precautions taken are generally satisfactory.

The total number of deaths in Garda custody over the past ten years was 25, details of which are set out in the following tabular statement which will be circulated with the Official Report. The total number of deaths is given because it is not clear from the coroners' verdicts how many cases involved suicide. The table includes details of the coroner's verdict in each case.

The Garda Code contains detailed instructions on the treatment and supervision of persons in Garda custody including their safety and well-being. While the instructions appear to be fully adequate, they are reviewed from time to time, and particularly if any untoward incident occurs, to see whether any improvements can be made.

Following is the statement:

Deaths in Garda Custody

Is there a study of the figures available? Has a study been carried out of the deaths that have been declared as suicide or those which the authorities, whatever about the reports of coroners, suspect were suicide from the circumstances involved? Has there been any study to try to find common links between the cases involved and, if so, have such studies resulted in the altering of the methods of dealing with prisoners either in Garda custody or in our prisons?

(Limerick East): Up to the beginning of this year, there were four suicides in a ten-year period in the prisons. The number is too small to establish the kind of pattern that the Deputy seems to suggest. I am not aware of any studies that have been carried out to establish links on a causatory basis. As I said, regarding the question of deaths in Garda custody it is not clear whether or not deaths are suicide in certain cases and it is quite clear in other cases that there are natural causes. Again, I am not aware of any study that has been carried out.

I shall not delay the House much longer on this. While the official figures, which I accept, are given as four, the Minister would be aware that coroners are reluctant to return verdicts of suicide in very many cases. Would the Minister initiate some kind of study in relation to the deaths which have occurred in our prisons and in Garda custody, to establish what steps might be taken by way of altering regulations or providing methods of identifying persons who might be at risk?

(Limerick East): I shall consider the situation and the suggestion. There is a very low number of suicides in our prisons as compared with, for example, 151 in English and Welsh prisons and 26 in Scottish prisons in the same period, even allowing for the difference in population. The figures show that our record in this compares favourably. The figures for the countries I have mentioned do not include deaths classified as non-natural.