Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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545.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are plans to use the former prison at the Curragh camp in County Kildare; what these plans are; what stage any such plans are at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25037/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that I am focused on investing in the prison estate to ensure it is fit for purpose, has the capacity to meet current and future capacity needs, and provides a safe environment for all those working and in custody in our prisons.

I am also exploring a range of other potential options to meet the needs of the Irish Prison Service, including using the prison at the Curragh which was previously used by the IPS for a number of years up to 2003.

The Department of Defence owns the prison in the Curragh and my Department has had initial engagements with that Department regarding its possible recommissioning as a place of detention.

A technical assessment of the Curragh prison is to be completed and work on this is ongoing.