Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
538. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the staff numbers in the Irish Prison Service from 2011 to date in 2014; the resources allocated to the Irish Prison Service in those years from her Department; the projected allocation in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41959/14]
View answerThe staff numbers in the Irish Prison Service from 2011 to date in 2014 are as follows:
|
Year |
Total Staff Numbers |
|
31st Dec 2011 |
3,489 |
|
31st Dec 2012 |
3,433 |
|
31st Dec 2013 |
3,432 |
|
31st Dec 2014 |
3,390 |
The financial resources allocated to the Irish Prison Service for the years 2011 - 2014 were as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2011 |
329,211,000 |
|
2012 |
317,815,000 |
|
2013 |
311,391,000 |
|
2014 |
308,545,000 |
As the Deputy will be aware in recent years the Irish Prison Service budget has faced increasing pressure from specific cuts, including Haddington Road Agreement, and general cuts across the board. Recognising the economic environment they were facing, decisive action was taken by Irish Prison Service management to reduce, as far as possible, discretionary spend, implement cost cutting measures and deliver efficiencies.
The financial resources allocated to the Irish Prison Services were required for;
- Salaries and other staff related costs
- Prisoner services including catering costs, education and work and training
- Provision of ICT services and development of new software solutions to assist in the management of prisoners
- Maintenance and upkeep of the prison estate
- Utilities including electricity, gas and water charges
- Compensation costs
- Other operational expenses including running costs associated with the provision of escort services to courts and hospitals
- Funding of capital projects including the refurbishment of Mountjoy prison, provision of new work training facilities, completion of the new accommodation block in Midlands prison and the commencement of the new Cork prison.
The projected allocation for 2015 is €309,768,000.
