Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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1540. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether he intends to reopen the old prison site in the Glen, Cork. [18994/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The former Cork Prison facility closed in 2016 following the transfer of prisoners to a new facility built on a site adjacent to the former prison.

The former prison was deemed no longer appropriate for use as prison accommodation due to the condition of the facilities, the size of the cell accommodation and the lack of in-cell sanitation.

Given the current trend in prisoner numbers and the pressure on prison capacity, the site of the former Cork prison remains of significant strategic interest to the Irish Prison Service.

In late 2023, engineering consultants were engaged by the Irish Prison Service to carry out a detailed assessment of the old Cork Prison facility and to provide a feasibility report on the site with various options for its use.

The draft report was received by the Irish Prison Service in October last year and it is currently being considered.