Prison Service

Tuesday, 7 July 2026

Ceisteanna (577)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

577. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether, in line with the recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to Ireland in July 2025, in which it recommended the establishment of open prisons for women (details supplied), the Government has plans to establish an open prison for women, similar to Shelton Abbey and Loughan House; and if no such plans exist, to provide an explanation for this decision and how it aligns with Ireland's human rights obligations. [51405/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I am conscious that women offenders represent a particularly vulnerable group within the prison system and work is ongoing to address their specific needs within the criminal justice system.

The Programme for Government 2025 commits to considering the need for an open prison for women, and the Future Prison Capacity Working Group was established in July 2024 to consider the future capacity needs of prisons, including the types and locations of capacity required, including in relation to women's prisons.

26 new spaces were constructed for women this year in the Dóchas Centre, and these are now fully operational. The overall IPS capital plan out to 2031 aims to deliver a further 150 prison spaces for women.

While the prison building programme does not currently include provision for the construction of an open prison for women, I will keep the issue under review, particularly in the context of the development of future prison capital plans.