Thomas Gould
Question:496. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the security cost for the old Cork Prison site, by year, since it closed, in tabular form; and whether this will now increase. [36351/24]
View answerWednesday, 18 September 2024
Questions (496, 497)
Thomas Gould
Question:497. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the future plans for the old Cork Prison site. [36352/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 497 together.
As the Deputy will be aware the former Cork Prison facility ceased operations in 2016 and was replaced with a new modern prison located on a site adjacent site.
Following the closure the old prison was largely decommissioned over the following 12 months with most systems being retired or terminated and all operations transferring to the new prison.
As the old prison is decommissioned and remains disused there has been no expenditure on security since it closed. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that they are satisfied that there is no requirement to increase the level of physical security at the old prison site at this time however, this is kept under ongoing review.
The site of the former prison remains of strategic interest to the Irish Prison Service.
The Deputy will be aware that the Service commissioned a feasibility study on the condition of the buildings in the old Cork Prison with regard to their potential for use as prisoner accommodation in the short to medium term.
The Review will be completed later this month at which stage it will be considered.
Question No. 497 answered with Question No. 496.