2559. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the plans in place to address significant overcrowding and capacity pressures across the prison system; whether consideration is being given to the construction of a new prison or other significant expansion of prison capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63376/26]

2560. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has carried out an assessment of the short and long-term impact of limited capacity and overcrowding across the prison system; the measures being taken to address these pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63375/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2559 and 2560 together.

I am acutely aware of the capacity constraints in our prisons and the resulting challenges faced by those who work and live in our prisons.

Government has allocated funding for significant building in the prison estate. On conclusion of the NDP Review in July 2025, I secured a record capital investment of €528 million from 2026 to 2030, of which €495 million is being invested in building projects to further increase capacity.

Since 2024, 292 spaces have been constructed across the prison estate, with 126 built in 2024, 106 in 2025 and 60 so far in 2026. A further 10 spaces will come on stream this year, and 102 in 2027.

On 25 August, I signed the contract for a new extension at the Dóchas Centre that will increase the prison’s capacity by approximately 30%. The Rowan House Yard Extension project involves the construction of a two-storey extension to the existing block and will provide accommodation for 52 women, increasing capacity to over 225. The project is a key part of an overall extensive prison building programme which is expected to deliver over 1,500 new spaces between 2024 and 2031.

On 23 July, I signed the contract for the construction of a new accommodation block at Cloverhill Prison which will increase capacity in the prison from 433 to over 700 spaces, and represents the largest single building project undertaken by the Irish Prison Service in several years. Construction has also commenced at Castlerea Prison to deliver a further 202 spaces by 2028.

This building programme will include a large extension to the existing Cork Prison, a new block in Wheatfield, and an additional block extension at Midlands prison. This is in addition to spaces created at Mountjoy, the Dóchas Centre and Limerick Men’s Prison. The record capital allocation will also allow for work to start on the planning and development of a new prison on the Thornton site in North County Dublin. A master plan for the site is expected to be developed this year.

Measures to support non-custodial sanctions are also important. Section 21 of the Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 has been passed by both Houses and will amend the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983 to support and encourage greater use of community service orders (CSOs).

Budget 2026 also provides for a 13% increase in funding for the Probation Service. This additional funding will be used to increase the use of supervised community sanctions in the criminal courts, expand restorative justice services, and expand supervised temporary release schemes nationally.

In response to capacity challenges in Irish prisons, a cross-sectoral Prison Overcrowding Response Group (PORG) was established in July 2023, composed of officials from my Department and representatives from relevant agencies. The Group considers evidence-informed measures with the potential to address capacity issues in the prison estate.

Actions agreed by the PORG include developing new responses to deliver structured temporary release for suitable prisoners, actions to encourage greater use of community service, and advancing legislative changes to support delivery of community-based sanctions more generally. The PORG continues to meet and work to implement these actions is ongoing.

The Future Prison Capacity Working Group was established in the second half of July 2024 to further consider future prison capacity needs and to make recommendations on the numbers and types of prison capacity needed out to 2035. I brought the Report of this Working Group to Cabinet and it was published on 4 July 2025.

The report assesses the necessary upgrades to existing prison infrastructure and provides preliminary cost estimates for both capital investment and operational expenditure that delivers adequate capacity, while also ensuring a modern and fit-for-purpose prison estate that is humane, safe and secure. In line with government design principles, the Group considered how the design of prisons can contribute to rehabilitation, reducing recidivism and ultimately safer communities. The report was a key input into the NDP review negotiations.

In addition, the Prison Overcrowding Risk Assessment Taskforce was established in 2024 by the Irish Prison Service Director General following a recommendation from the State Claims Agency (SCA). The SCA chaired the Taskforce and provided technical support, convening a series of focused workshops to identify risks, map existing controls, and determine additional short, medium and long-term measures needed to further mitigate prison overcrowding. This final risk assessment was forwarded to my Department and the Irish Prison Service in November 2025. The risk assessment sets out key recommendations across a range of thematic areas.