Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2075. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently in Mountjoy Prison; the number of those in Mountjoy Prison from 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; if the current number of inmates constitutes overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42876/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The total number of male and female prisoners detained in Mountjoy Prison as at 23 July in each year from 2019 inclusive of this year is outlined in the table below.

Prisoner population statistics are published on a daily basis and are available at: www.irishprisons.ie/information-centre/statistics-information/2015-daily-prisoner-population/

As at 23 July 2025, Mountjoy Male prison is operating at 126% capacity, Mountjoy Female is operating at 132% capacity and the Training Unit is operating at 100% capacity.

I am acutely aware of capacity restraints in our prisons, and challenges faced by those who work and live in our prisons as a result. The Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time. Action is being taken by the Irish Prison Service on a daily basis to manage overcrowding through a combination of inter-prison transfers where capacity is available and structured Temporary Release. Decisions in relation to temporary release are considered on a case by case basis and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made.

Since January 2022, capacity across the prison estate has been increased by more than 377 new spaces, with 126 delivered in 2024, 40 delivered to date in 2025 with plans to deliver a further 101 additional spaces by the end of this year.

In line with Programme for Government commitments to deliver 1500 additional prison spaces, €495m has been allocated under the National Development Plan to the Irish Prison Service for 2026-2030. Projects are planned at Castlerea, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, Portlaoise, Wheatfield, Midlands, and Dóchas prisons and at the Old Cork prison site. The capital allocation will also support work to commence on the development of a new prison at Thornton in North County Dublin.

Table 1: Prisoners detained in Mountjoy Prison as at 23 July in each year from 2019 to 2025

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2076. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current condition of visiting areas for those who visit Mountjoy prison; the last time said visitor areas were upgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42877/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The visitor centre at Mountjoy Prison was opened in 2000, servicing Mountjoy main prison, the Training Unit, Mountjoy West and the Dóchas Centre.

The visitor centre will be temporarily relocated whilst essential works are underway to increase the capacity of The Dóchas Centre. It will reopen once the core elements of this work is completed.

The Irish Prison Service is committed to facilitating visitors to prisoners at Mountjoy prison. In order to do this, a new temporary visiting area, recently completed inside the prison will provide visiting capacity for the duration of the works referred to. This temporary arrangement will cease once the main visitor centre is reopened.

The new Irish Prison Service Family Connections Officer is working closely with the Finance and Estates Directorate to plan a programme of work to enhance visitor centres and visitor areas across the prison estate over the coming years.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2077. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an ombudsman will be appointed to observe the current state of prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42878/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can advise the Deputy that there are no plans at present to establish a separate Ombudsman for Prisons in this jurisdiction.

My officials are currently working with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to draft legislation that will further develop the role of the current Office of the Inspector of Prisons, in line with our international human rights obligations under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention for the Prevention of Torture, and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

Enactment of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill is a commitment in the Programme for Government and will enable Ireland to ratify the OPCAT. The legislation will provide for the designation of a single National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) to visit and inspect all places of detention in the Justice Sector and for Government Ministers in other sectors to appoint appropriate NPMs for places of detention within their remit.

The existing post of Inspector of Prisons will be replaced by a new post of Chief Inspector of Places of Detention to act as the NPM for the Justice sector. The remit will include prisons, Garda stations, the courts and vehicles used for the transport of prisoners by the Irish Prison Service and Gardaí.

Together with the greatly increased funding provided to the Office of the Inspector of Prisons to expand its programme of inspections since 2019, I am confident that this work will result in further improvements to the oversight of prisons and contribute to upholding the human rights of prisoners, with consequent benefits to the wider community.