Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 6

Written Answers. - Prison Costs.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

138 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice the cost per inmate per annum of the new security unit at Castlerea, County Roscommon; the capital cost per unit; the expected running costs per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5581/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The cost of the contract for the construction of the Castlerea unit A was £0.8 million for 40 prisoner places. This represents a capital cost for the provision of each prisoner space of £20,000 which compares very favourably with the usual capital cost per prisoner space which normally ranges from £100,000 to £120,000.

It is estimated that the cost of keeping an offender at Castlerea unit A will be in the region of £34,500 in 1997. The average cost for the entire prison service was approximately £46,500 in 1996.