Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Vote 21 - Prisons has a gross estimate in 2022 of €401.3 million, plus an additional €3.601 million in unspent capital brought forward from 2021 under the capital carryover provisions. I am pleased that an additional €2.4 million has been made available to increase investment in medical, mental health, psychology and other services to a vulnerable group in our prison system following a number of reviews including the health needs assessment and the Commission for the Prevention of Torture review. This is in line with the Government's commitment to reduce the rate of reoffending and to improve community safety. Additional funding of €4 million has also been provided across a range of other areas to in respect of ICT, cybercrime and other operational costs including payroll.

While the redevelopment of Limerick Prison has been impacted by the Covid restrictions in 2020 and 2021, significant progress has been made. The capital allocation in 2022 will enable the completion of this project, which will provide additional capacity for 40 female prisoners as well as a new wing to Limerick male prison, which will have additional capacity for 90 male prisoners. It will completely upgrade and modernise Limerick Prison, as well as eliminating the practice of slopping out.

I acknowledge also the impact that Covid-19 has had on the operations of the Prison Service and the collective efforts that have been made by the Irish Prison Service staff, management, prisoners and Red Cross volunteers to contain and minimise the impact of the virus. The infection prevention and control teams that are in place in all prisons have made a significant contribution to the handling of the virus, which is particularly challenging in the closed environment of a prison. I commend the work that has been done and recognise the difficulties the virus, including the most recent Omicron strain, has caused for staff, prisoners and their families.