Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 October 2025
31. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he intends to continue with his plans to reopen the Old Cork Prison site; and the level of engagement he has undertaken with the local community on this matter. [53204/25]
View answerA record capital investment of €527 million is being provided to IPS over the next 5 years, of which €495 million will be invested in building projects to further increase capacity.
This will provide for the largest investment in the prison estate in the history of the State. The target is to deliver 1,595 individual prison spaces by 2031 and includes a new prison on the site of the old Cork prison, a new block in Wheatfield, an additional block extension at Midlands prison, and additional spaces at Castlerea, Mountjoy, Cloverhill, Portlaoise, Limerick and Dóchas.
Planning for the Old Cork Prison project remains at a very early stage and engagement will take place with the local community in due course.
