Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Gannon for this important question. Due to the rise in our population, it is important that we increase the number of spaces within prison. The Deputy asked me about measures that would increase decarceration and I will come to that presently, but it is important to say that more prison spaces are available in light of the increasing population and the ability of the authorities to prosecute serious offences and fine people who are convicted of those offences.

I am tabling proposals that will present further options to courts other than simply incarcerating a person who has been convicted of a criminal offence. As published in the general scheme of the miscellaneous provisions Bill last week, I identified that I wanted to, and am proposing to, change the terms of the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983. Currently, a judge is required to consider a community service order if a sentence of up to one year is being considered. I am going to extend that so that when a court is considering a sentence that carries a penalty of up to two years, the court must also consider a community service order. Similarly, I am going to extend the number of hours that can be imposed by way of a community service order from 240 to 480. These measures will be of assistance.

We need to increase capacity, but these measures are not incompatible. It is not as though we can only have measures for increasing prison space without trying to consider measures that will result in decarceration. Since 2022, capacity across the prison estate has increased by more than 300 new spaces - 134 spaces were delivered in the past 12 months - and more than 100 additional spaces will be added this year. This is a priority for me.

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