Thomas Gould
Question:30. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the proposed process and timeline for the two new prisons in the Glen. [49365/26]
View answerWednesday, 1 July 2026
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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, 258 spaces have been constructed across the prison estate, with 126 coming on stream in 2024,106 in 2025 and 26 finished so far in 2026. There are plans to build another 39 spaces in 2026 and 70 in 2027. 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 prison spaces by 2031. This building programme includes a large extension to the existing Cork Prison on the site of the old, decommissioned Cork Prison in the Glen area.
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. This 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. In terms of timelines, the project is still at an early stage, but is progressing: the consultancy for demolition has been awarded, this will help prepare the tender package for demolition. Demolition works are planned for the coming year with the project build expected to be completed in 2031.
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.
As the project’s planning process commences with relevant authorities, it should be emphasised that this project is at a preliminary stage and that there will be stakeholder engagement as part of the overall planning process and regular communication to the Department on progress of the project as per previous builds including the new Cork prison.