Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1562.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has any plans for an additional prison. [32459/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to ensuring there is adequate capacity in our prisons. Additional capacity is essential to ensure the prison system is safe, humane and has sufficient spaces to house the most serious offenders while focusing on rehabilitation.

The Department of Justice continues to engage with the Irish Prison Service to progress plans to bring new spaces for over 1,100 people on stream between 2024 and 2030. This includes short-term projects which will deliver accommodation for more than 170 people this year.

As part of these plans the Minister for Justice secured capital funding of €159m for the years 2024 to 2026, including securing an increase of €49.5m through the most recent NDP allocations.

I have established a new Working Group to consider future prison capacity needs, including the construction of a new prison. It will also make recommendations on the future use of the site at Thornton Hall.