Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the average annual cost of an available, staffed prison space during the calendar year 2022 was €84,067, a 4.6% increase on the 2021 cost of €80,335

The figure includes all elements of net expenditure incurred to the Irish Prison Service vote within the year, (such as salaries, utilities/maintenance, ICT, services provided to prisoners including education, healthcare, work training etc.) and excludes capital expenditure on buildings and vehicle purchases.

The main reasons for the increase over the 2021 figure is due to increased variable costs due to increases in payroll costs due to National Wage Agreements, increased prisoner numbers and increased capacity.