127 Mr. V. Brady asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the escalating rise in crime and the many statements made by various courts regarding lack of prison accommodation, he has given consideration to the provision of additional low-cost prison accommodation in an isolated part of the State.

130 Mr. V. Brady asked the Minister for Justice the total cost of the prison services and the cost per prisoner; and if there are any plans to develop the present prison system to increase accommodation.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 130 together.

The current estimated annual cost of the operation of the prison system is £80 million, on the basis of projected expenditure for the year. This corresponds to an estimated weekly cost of £700 per prisoner. These figures do not include any element in respect of capital expenditure. They are arrived at by taking gross projected expenditure for the Prisons Vote, deducting Appropriations-in-Aid and expenditure not connected with the running of the prisons (Probation and Welfare Service and Community Service Orders' Scheme) and adding relevant costs borne on other votes (Superannuation and Teachers' Salaries).