Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

On 15 November 2010, there were 4,416 prisoners in custody as compared to a bed capacity of 4,430. This represents an occupancy level of 100%. A table detailing the numbers in custody in each prison is being provided to the Deputy.

It should be noted that the Irish Prison Service does not record or breakdown costs per individual prison, rather figures are based on three categories, namely, open prison, closed prison and high security prison. Loughan House and Shelton Abbey are open prisons. Portlaoise Prison is the only high security prison in the jurisdiction. The cost per available staffed prison space in open prisons in 2009 was €50,521, representing a 16% decrease on the cost in 2008, which was €60,150. The cost per available staffed prison space in closed prisons in 2009 was €79,308, representing a 13% decrease on the 2008 figure, which was €90,837. The cost per available staffed prison space in the high security prison was €75,892, representing a 51% decrease on the 2008 figure, which was €155,306. The average cost of an available staffed prison space during 2009 was €77,222, representing a decrease of 16.7% on the 2008 figure, which was €92,717.

The decrease in average cost is attributed to the following two factors, namely, a decrease in total costs of €17.7 million, of which €15.5 million relates to pay costs and an increase in bed capacity of 495, from 3,611 as at 31 December 2008 to 4,106 as at 31 December 2009. I am sure the Deputy will agree there has been a substantial increase in the number of beds in the system.

Consistent with calculations in previous years, costs which are not under the direct control of the Irish Prison Service have been excluded. Teachers' salary costs are, therefore, excluded from this exercise as these costs are not provided for under the prisons budget allocation. Similarly, capital expenditure, including building-equipment assets and small works, is excluded from the calculations in the interest of facilitating comparison between prison types.

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