Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 6

Written Answers. - Prison Costs.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

129 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice the cost of prison spaces for 1995; the cost per prisoner in Mountjoy Prison, Portlaoise Prison and Limerick Prison; and the cost per female prisoner in Mountjoy. [3404/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The annual cost of the operation of the prison system per head of the prisoner population was approximately £44,600 in 1995, based on the 1995 provisional outturn. The estimated cost per prisoner in Mountjoy, Portlaoise and Limerick prisons was £44,000, £88,700 and £54,300 respectively. The high cost at Portlaoise is attributable to the staffing levels which have been required to cater for subversive prisoners. The Department's accounting arrangements do not make it practicable to distinguish the cost per female prisoner in Mountjoy.

These figures are based on the provisional outturn for 1995 and do not include any element in respect of capital expenditure or expenditure not connected with the running of the prisons (probation and welfare service and Community Service Orders Scheme). Relevant costs borne on other votes are included (superannuation, teachers' salaries).