Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2025
108. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the estimated annual cost of detaining one person in prison versus the cost of supervising one person on a community sanction, and the projected fiscal impact of achieving the Department of Justice's 1,500 additional prison place target versus equivalent investment in community measures. [21491/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the average annual cost of an available, staffed prison space during the calendar year 2024 was €99,072. This includes net expenditure incurred within the year (such as salaries, utilities/ maintenance, ICT, prison services, etc.) excluding capital expenditure on buildings, ICT and vehicle purchases.
Further, I have been advised by the Probation Service that, based on 2019 data compiled by their Finance Unit, the unit cost of a probation supervision order is €5,700. The Probation Service informs me that it intends to review and update the costing model for assessment and supervision this year.
With regard to the fiscal impact of delivering 1,500 additional prison places, all new capital building projects must be planned in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines, which outline the steps that must be taken to plan and deliver large projects to ensure value for money, and involve significant planning, a range of assessments and approval gates.
As part of this process, an economic appraisal and financial analysis are carried out at the start of all large projects. Individual projects to deliver the 1,500 spaces will be progressed through this process over the lifetime of the capital plan and will be progressed in line with the available funds, which will be determined through the review of the National Development Plan.
