I propose to take Questions Nos. 1778 and 1780 together.
Unfortunately it has not been possible to collate the information requested, in the format requested by the Deputy in the time available.
However, I can inform the Deputy that the National Development Plan contains investment of over €300 million a year in capital projects for the Justice sector. This capital investment ranges across a number of areas such as ICT, transport investment and capital building and refurbishment works in An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, the Courts Service and the Department of Justice.
I understand the Deputy’s questions particularly relate to major capital building and refurbishment projects.
Since 2022, three very large projects have been delivered in the justice sector. These are:
• A new state of the art laboratory for Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) opened in 2024. This was the largest ever capital project directly funded by the Exchequer in the Justice sector, at a cost of over €100 million. The final accounts for this project are currently being finalised;
• Walter Scott House in Dublin, the new Garda Security and Crime Operations Centre is a modern fit for purpose building, housing key national crime units, was delivered in 2022 at a cost of €93.04 million;
• The redevelopment of Limerick prison included a new world class women’s prison and a new male wing. This project was completed in 2023 at a cost of €70 million.
In addition to the above, the Irish prison service have constructed 350 new spaces from 2023 to 2025 through a range of small and medium scale projects (118 in 2023, 126 in 2024 and 106 in 2025). Additionally a number of small to medium projects were completed across the Garda Estate throughout the period referred to.
I will write to the Deputy once the full detail of the information he has requested is available.
