Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

767. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average cost of imprisoning a prisoner per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63308/25]

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

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the average annual cost of an available, staffed prison space during the calendar year 2024 was €99,072, an 11.9% increase on the 2023 cost of €88,523.

This equates to an average weekly cost of €1,905 in 2024 compared to €1,702 in 2023.

This includes net expenditure incurred within the year (such as salaries, utilities/maintenance, ICT, prison services, etc.) excluding capital expenditure on buildings, ICT and vehicle purchases. The main reasons for the increase over 2023 was due to increased variable costs due to increased prisoner numbers, increased capacity, inflation and increases in payroll costs.