Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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16. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 22 February 2024, if the detailed assessment/report of the old Cork Prison facility has been completed; if not, when it will be completed; if she will commit to ensuring that any works recommended progress expeditiously in light of capacity issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26195/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The old Cork Prison facility was built in the early 1800s and operated as a prison up to 2016 when it was deemed no longer suitable for use due to the condition of the facilities, the size of the cellular accommodation and the lack of in-cell sanitation. It was closed in February 2016, following the construction and opening of the new prison.

Since then the old Cork Prison has remained vacant and I understand it has fallen further into disrepair.

The Irish Prison Service is engaged in reviewing all its buildings at present to maximise accommodation and see if any might provide a feasible option to help with overcrowding. This includes a review of the old Cork Prison. The Irish Prison Service expects to receive the final report in September 2024.

However, this is only one of a number of options being examined and, in fact, the Irish Prison Service have already identified a significant number of spaces that can be brought online relatively quickly, during 2024 and 2025.

These are separate to the medium and longer term projects for which I have secured capital investment, and which have the potential to deliver additional accommodation for up to 860 people between 2026 and 2030.

A High Level Working Group is being established to look at future prison capacity requirements beyond what I have outlined, and I can assure the Deputy that my Department will look to progress the most appropriate and suitable options identified by that Group as a priority.