Prison Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2016

Tuesday, 11 October 2016

Questions (50)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

50. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison places available in each prison in the prison system in 2016; the budget allocated to each prison; if she will provide comparison figures for 2006 and 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29832/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I wish to inform the Deputy that the number of prison places available in each prison is set out in the following table for each year 2016, 2006 and 1996.

-	11th October 2016	11th October 2006	11th October 1996
Mountjoy Male	554	480	597
Mountjoy Female	105	85	40
Training Unit	96	96	90
St. Patrick's	34	217	188
Cloverhill	431	433	N/A
Wheatfield	550	378	320
Midlands	870	447	N/A
Portlaoise	291	188	207
Cork	296	262	244
Limerick Male	210	271	120
Limerick Female	28	20	12
Castlerea	340	206	N/A
Arbour Hill	142	139	130
Loughan House	140	110	85
Shelton Abbey	115	60	56
Fort Mitchel	Closed	Closed	102
Shanganagh Castle	Closed	Closed	60
Total	4,202	3,392	2,251

Individual prisons do not have a separate budget allocation. Instead each budget area is managed centrally by the appropriate Directorate in Irish Prison Service Headquarters. In 2016 the gross budget allocated to the Irish Prison Service was €332,058,000, the equivalent figure in 2006 was €389,572,000 and in 1996 the equivalent figure was €150,997,000 (£118,920,000).