Thomas Gould
Question:885. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if construction works, survey works, or any works are currently being undertaken on the old Cork prison site. [40298/26]
View answerTuesday, 26 May 2026
Questions (885)
Written answers
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. 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. I have secured a record capital investment of €528 million for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) over the next 5 years, of which €495 million will be invested to deliver one of the most significant capital building programmes in the justice sector, with an overall target of delivering over 1,500 spaces by 2031.
The building programme committed to 2031 will include a large extension to the existing Cork Prison on the site of the old, decommissioned Cork Prison.
I have also 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 proposed project for the extension to the existing Cork Prison is a part of this accelerated delivery programme, and while it is still at an early planning stage, planning for the Cork Prison project is continuing. The facility on the old decommissioned Cork Prison site will be a large extension of 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.
Demolition works are planned for the coming year with completion expected on the project in 2031.