Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
461. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the average cost of keeping a person in prison custody in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; if an explanation for any discrepancy in these statistics will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5162/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the annual cost of keeping a person in custody in each of the prisons and detention centres in the country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5164/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 461 and 463 together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that the average annual cost of an available staffed prison space in 2023 was €88,523, which represents a 5.3% increase on the 2022 cost of €84,067. For 2024 the average annual cost was €99,072, which represents an 11.9% increase on 2023. The IPS have further advised that the 2025 figure will be reported in the 2025 Annual Report.
The figure includes net expenditure incurred within the year (such as salaries, utilities/maintenance, ICT, prison services, etc.) excluding capital expenditure on buildings, ICT and vehicles. The IPS have advised that the main reasons for the increase during the 3 years include increased prisoner numbers, increased capacity, inflation and increased payroll costs.
