Patrick Costello
Question:109. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 599 of 1 March 2022, if her Department can provide the figures for 2023. [50101/23]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2023
109. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 599 of 1 March 2022, if her Department can provide the figures for 2023. [50101/23]
View answerFurther to my reply to your Parliamentary Question No. 599 of 1 March 2022, requesting the number of days educational programmes were prevented from happening due to staff shortages, please see the updated figures up to 31 August 2023 below.
Full day prison school closures due to Officer Shortages in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to 31 August 2023
Prison |
Full Day Closures 2020 |
Full Day Closures 2021 |
Full Day Closure 2022 |
Full Day Closures 2023 (1/1/2023 to 31/08/2023) |
Arbour Hill |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Castlerea |
0 |
8 |
1 |
36 |
Cloverhill |
4 |
3 |
29 |
0 |
Cork |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
Dóchas |
9 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
Limerick |
6 |
30 |
37 |
15 |
Loughan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Midlands |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
Mountjoy* |
4 |
24 |
4 |
4 |
Portlaoise |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Progression Unit |
2 |
19 |
8 |
1 |
Shelton Abbey |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Training Unit |
N/A*** |
N/A*** |
0 |
0 |
Wheatfield** |
1 |
20 |
27 |
13 |
*NOTE: Mountjoy Main School and Mountjoy Medical Unit School together comprise Mountjoy Education Centre. There have been extended closures of the Mountjoy Medical Unit School in 2021 which are reflected in the above numbers.
**NOTE: Wheatfield Main School and Wheatfield North Three School together comprise Wheatfield Education Centre. The North Three School (4 class rooms) remained closed since 12th March 2020 due to Covid and staff shortages. No statistics have been included for the North Three School after 12th March 2020.
***NOTE: The Training Unit re-opened in September 2022
I can advise the Deputy that the IPS have also advised that the closure statistics will be added to the Irish Prison Service website and will be updated on the website on a bi-annual basis going forward.