Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
849. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding how Ireland's imprisonment rate per 100,000 population compares to other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40001/26]
View answer850. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the way in which Ireland's imprisonment rate per 100,000 population compares to the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40002/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 849 and 850 together.
The Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics (commonly known as SPACE - Statistiques Pénales Annuelles du Conseil de l’Europe) have collected data on imprisonment and penal institutions across Europe since 1983.
Data relating to Irish prison population rates as they compare to those of EU member states, as well as the UK, is publicly available at: www.coe.int/en/web/prison/space. The Council’s most recent annual report for 2025 can be accessed here: www.wp.unil.ch/space/files/2026/05/260518_rapport-space-i-2025.pdf.
I can advise the Deputy when compared with other EU countries in the 2025 SPACE report, Ireland’s prison population rate per 100,000 inhabitants is ranked as low, as is the UK’s.
