Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2024
345. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will amend the misleading figures supplied to the CPT in 2019 regarding capacity and inform the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of the amendment. [24075/24]
View answer346. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the capacity for the total prison estate, having exact regard to the minimum recommendations of the European Prison Rules, not the IPS's calculation based on 'the bed capacity refers to the maximum number of beds which can be present/operational in a prison at any one time'. [24076/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the figures provided to the CPT in 2019 were correct at that time. As explained in the published response to the CPT’s 2019 visit, the operational bed capacity of prisoners is calculated on the basis of the number of beds which can be utilised in a prison at any time. The actual capacity can fluctuate from time to time arising from cells being out of commission due to areas of prisons being renovated or refurbished. It should be noted that over the 12 month period to July 2023 more than 200 spaces were added to the prison estate.
It is the case that certain prisons may not be in a position to accommodate prisoners despite operating at less than 100% capacity due to operational restrictions and considerations in relation to specific categories of prisoners.
As of 24 May 2024, prison bed capacity stands at 4,515 across the estate.
