Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
37. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration given the current overcrowding, if he will expand on the proposals for the use of the old prison site at Rathmore Road, Cork city; if he will engage with the Prison Service to ensure that any retrofit would include a provision for community facilities and use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34353/26]
View answer68. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the proposed prison expansion in the Glen. [35671/26]
View answer73. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on plans to further develop Shelton Abbey prison at Arklow, County Wicklow. [35440/26]
View answer80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the actions he is taking to tackle the prison overcrowding crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35609/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 68, 73 and 80 together.
I am acutely aware of the capacity constraints in our prisons and the challenges faced by those who work and live in our prisons as a result. The Irish Prison Service (IPS) must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the courts and has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
Since 2024, 232 spaces have been constructed across the Prison Estate, with 126 delivered in 2024 and 106 in 2025. There are plans to build another 65 spaces in 2026.
In addition, Government has allocated funding for a significant building programme across the prison estate. On conclusion of the NDP Review in July 2025, I secured a record capital investment of €67.9 million for 2026, as part of a total investment of €528 million from 2026 to 2030, of which €495 million is being invested in building projects to further increase capacity.
I sought and secured an exemption from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for 6 projects (960 prison spaces) to move straight to Approval Gate 2 – Pre Tender Approval of the Infrastructure Guidelines, a measure which is expected to speed up the delivery of these projects by 12 to 18 months. It also frees up capacity within Irish Prison Service (IPS) to progress projects.
The IPS is delivering one of the most significant capital programmes in the justice sector, reflecting the Government’s commitment to increase prison capacity and modernise the estate in line with population growth, with an overall target of delivering over 1,500 spaces by 2031.
This will include a large extension to the existing Cork Prison on the site of the old, decommissioned Cork Prison, a new block in Wheatfield, and an additional block extension at Midlands prison. This is in addition to spaces at Castlerea, Mountjoy and the Dóchas Centre, where an extension to Rowan House is expected to accommodate 50 women prisoners. It will also fund planning and commencement of construction of a new prison at Thornton Hall in North County Dublin
Shelton Abbey
Shelton Abbey, located at Arklow, Co Wicklow, is an open, low-security prison for males aged 18 years and over who are regarded as requiring lower levels of security.
In March 2025, Shelton Abbey completed the construction of 10 Independent Living Units (ILUs), providing single independent unit accommodation for 10 prisoners. This project was a new initiative for the Irish Prison Service, providing accommodation across the Open Centres at Shelton Abbey, Loughan House and at the semi-closed location at The Grove in Castlerea Prison. These projects included all associated infrastructural site and ancillary services works.
The units have provided a total additional 34 prisoner spaces suitable for longer term prisoners who are preparing for release back to the community. The units provide an environment that nurtures the personal responsibility that will be needed outside the prison setting and form an important part of regime management.
These modular units are designed with reference to detailed specifications from OPW design criteria and comply with the latest modern building standards. They have a lifespan up to 60 years and meet the requirements outlined in the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2023.
There are no current plans to further develop Shelton Abbey prison. The current allocations under the National Development Plan are mainly concentrated on the provision of funding to assist with the problems of overcrowding within the closed prison estate by increasing prisoner spaces.
However, continuous review of the prison estate is undertaken to assess whether there are service demands or risks identified which may result in projects being progressed.
Cork Prison
Cork Prison is located in the Glen area of Cork City. The proposed extension to the existing Cork Prison is still at an early planning stage but preparation works will begin early next year. The new prison facility on the old decommissioned Cork Prison site will be a large extension to the existing prison and will provide prison spaces for approximately 100 women and 230 men. This intended approach will ensure efficiencies with the design and the practical operations of the new facility in parallel with the existing prison. As the project progresses, there will be more stakeholder engagement as part of the planning process.
