Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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85. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality why a newly built prison in County Cork is operating at 160% capacity as of 14 June 2016, as determined by the Inspector of Prisons bed capacity; when she will address the overcrowding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17893/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that on 21 June 2016, there were 277 prisoners held in Cork Prison. The Irish Prison Service has set an operational bed capacity figure of 296 for the new Cork Prison.

The Inspector of Prison's capacity which the Deputy refers to, relate to the old Cork Prison which is currently not operational.

I am further advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that earlier this year, the Inspector of Prisons was notified of this new capacity figure. The Irish Prison Service are waiting on a response in respect of the Inspector's revised capacity figure for the new prison.