Ms Caron McCaffrey:

We have a breakdown of the staffing ratios for individual prisons. The Deputy is correct that the staffing ratio varies. In our open centres there is a lower ratio of staff, while in our maximum security prison in Portlaoise, there is a greater ratio of staff to prisoners. The cost per staff member is €68,535 per annum. It works out at €188 per day to keep an offender in custody. I do not have a breakdown of the cost per prison, but if the Deputy is interested, I can make it available.