Prison Service
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-07
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

I am hoping, and it is intended, that we will start preparation works early next year in respect of the extension to Cork Prison. I am hoping and expecting that it will be completed in advance of 2031 and that it will be finished in the latter part of this decade. It is also important to point out that we have a good record in the Irish Prison Service in delivering extensions or new blocks on prison property very quickly. As I said to the Deputy, I was in Castlerea three weeks ago. Works started on a project there - the Grove - on 1 May 2025 and it is finished now. I turned the sod there three weeks ago for a further extension. The Prison Service is renowned within the sector as being very efficient at getting works completed very promptly. A further example of that is the works I saw this morning in the Dóchas Centre. I also have to point out, however, that I did manage to secure an exemption from the Minister for public expenditure for six projects totalling 960 prison spaces and to move them straight to approval gate 2 pre-tender approval of the infrastructure guidelines, a measure which is expected to speed up delivery of these projects by 12 to 18 months. It also frees up capacity within the Irish Prison Service to progress projects.
The proposed extension on Cork Prison is to deliver new prison spaces for men and women. We will try to get that expedited as quickly as possible. I hear what the Deputy has said in terms of a community gain. Obviously there are restrictions in terms of a prison. It is not as though it is a housing estate where you can just put a unit in there but I will think creatively, and I am sure the Irish Prison Service will too, in terms of what can be done for the community. The educational services provided by the Prison Service for families outside of prison is one example of that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-07/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-07