Justice minister to accelerate building of nearly 1,000 prison spaces across the country
A plan to build nearly 1,000 more prison spaces before the end of the decade is to be accelerated, the justice minister will tell Cabinet today.
Jim O'Callaghan will inform ministers that the Irish Prison Service can deliver 150 additional spaces at Castlerea, 180 at the Midlands Prison, 50 spaces at the Dóchas Centre women's prison, 100 at Wheatfield, and 150 at Mountjoy — all 12 months ahead of schedule.
Meanwhile, the rebuild of the Old Cork Prison site will see 230 additional male spaces and 100 for women. That facility is due to finish at the beginning of 2031.
Jim O'Callaghan has engaged with public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers to allow for the acceleration of prison projects — reducing delivery timelines by up to 18 months in some cases.
The Minister will inform government that the prison estate as a whole is currently operating at 115% over capacity with a new record high of 5,394 in prison in mid-April — an 11% rise in 12 months and over 1,100 more people in prison than in January 2023.
Overcrowding creates "an increasing level of risk for the Irish Prison Service, its staff and the people in its custody including rises in assaults, pressure on all ancillary services, threats to staff safety, and insufficient capacity to respond effectively to emergencies", he is set to tell cabinet.
He also intends to introduce an electronic tagging pilot programme in the coming months.
Meanwhile, housing minister James Browne will bring to cabinet a memo updating ministers on the progress of plans to exempt modular homes in existing gardens. Planning minister John Cummins has been pursuing changes to provide exemptions for detached cabin or modular-style structures at the back of properties. Currently, planning exemptions are in place for a 40sq m extension that is attached to a property.
Cabinet will hear that an interdepartmental consultation is "substantially complete" with 11 government departments making submissions. A public consultation will take place this month and finalisation of exempted developments regulations will follow.
Sources said that the plan would increase the ability to "expand and improve existing planning exemptions" and it is understood that the review has identified areas that are in need of updating to enable the quicker delivery of certain education, health, and utility infrastructure.
Minister for social protection Dara Calleary will announce the expansion of the Wage Subsidy Scheme which aims to help more disabled people get and retain jobs. Enterprise minister Peter Burke will also tell Cabinet that he is setting up a new group with the sole aim of reducing the cost of running a business.
The Cost of Business Advisory Forum will hold its first meeting on June 11 and will bring together business owners, retailers, tourism operators, accounting professionals and representative groups—alongside regulators and state agencies.
Also at Cabinet, minister for higher Education James Lawless will request cabinet note his plans to launch a further call for applications under the Technological Sector and Specialist Colleges Enhancement Fund (TEF) which funds initiatives aimed at developing Technological Universities (TU's), Institutes of Technology (IOTs) and publicly-funded specialist colleges.
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The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
How does Ireland's prison overcrowding crisis compare to other European countries?
EUROPE'S PRISON POPULATION is increasing, with many countries around the continent, including Ireland, experience dangerous levels of overcrowding. According to analysis of the latest data from Eurostat, Europe's central statistics database, there was a 3.2% increase in the continent's prison population in 2023. That year, 13 countries in Europe were experiencing overcrowding. Very high levels of incarcerations were also recorded between 1993 and 2023. In Ireland, where prison capacity on Friday was recorded at a level of 117% , the issue with overcrowding has been deemed a crisis by legal experts, staff unions and senior sources within the Irish penal system. An increase in the number of judges , changes to legislation and sentencing guidelines, as well as underinvestment into the prison estate in the country have been contributing factors to the crisis. The Eurostat data shows, however, that this trend has been occurring across EU member states over a 30-year period. At its peak in 2012, prisons in Europe were accommodating 533,000 people. Government has initiated an expansion plan for the construction of 1,500 new places – but industry associations like the Irish Prison Officers Association believe that 'building out' of the problem is not the solution. Speaking at an event in May, President of the association Tony Power said that investments must be made into the existing system to provide more spaces. Staff should not be 'expected' to work in overcrowded conditions, he added. Mattresses on the floor in Europe Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has pledged to find ways to accelerate the delivery of more prison spaces . Advertisement A senior source at the service previously told The Journal that building more spaces, given the timescale involved in capital projects, is not seen as an option. This has led to an increase in the number of people sleeping on the floor in Irish facilities , something the Irish Penal Reform Trust deeply condemns. These figures are so high that the service started recording them in official daily statistics this year. On Friday, 404 people were sleeping on mattresses the ground in Irish prisons. French prison population levels reached record highs in March as a total of 82,152 people – roughly the same size of a full house at Croke Park – were in custody in French prisons that month. The official capacity is 62,539. More than 4,500 people were sleeping on the floor at French facilities – 15 of which are at 200% capacity. Deportations and releases France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has called for the deportation of foreign prisoners so that they can serve their sentences in their home nations. In Ireland, however, the Irish Penal Reform Trust has called for imprisonment to be regarded as a 'last resort' and for alternative measures , such as community service or supervised temporary release, to be encouraged. The Irish Prison Service has increased the population of prisoners on temporary release , which sees the supervised release of low-level, non-violent offenders serving sentences outside of prison under strict conditions. The State has been criticised for allowing the temporary release scheme as a pressure valve to overcrowding, but sources in the prison management say the programme is the only way it can maintain safe population levels at facilities in the country. In Austria, experts say prison sentences are still too common and, often, people are committed for minor offences. Facilities in the country are at 108% capacity, as of May. Access to rehabilitative care In Spain, the country has adopted a more rehabilitative approach. It allows prisoners a gradual transition to more open regimes, based on their behaviour and risk of re-offending. Similar programmes are available in Ireland . Data from Spain shows that 80% of people released from prison do not return to crime. Related Reads Court escorts for prisoners at risk due to overcrowding, Irish prisons boss warns Fears within prison service that prison overcrowding increasing risk of violence and rioting New ankle monitors could be an alternative to being held on remand, Irish prisons boss says Overcrowding is reducing the population's access to services in Ireland . Sources have said that offenders placed on supervised release or short sentences are, sometimes, not provided with any rehabilitative care. The head of the Irish Prison Service told reporters last month that up to 2,000 prisoners are currently on waiting lists to access psychology support services. Director General Caron McCaffrey said there are also smaller waiting lists for other services, such as addiction therapy, education and training programmes. She said a 'whole of government approach' is needed to boost services such as education, training and therapy in prisons. Responding to questions by The Journal in May, she admitted that people are sometimes released before receiving care. High levels of overcrowding at prisons in Austria is leading to similar issues to what is seen in Ireland, where prisoners outnumber support staff. The European Court of Auditors recently criticised Vienna's lack of investment. Changes are being led from prison management, however, to boost rehabilitation resources in Irish prisons. Existing staff are being upskilled and trained on methods to provide and assist in the care of prisoners with mental health issues. Additionally, a peer-led, pilot programme has been launched in Dublin's Mountjoy Prison which trains and educates prisoners on providing addiction care to others. — This article is part of PULSE, a European collaborative journalism project. With reporting by Maria Delaney (The Journal Investigates, Ireland), Davide Madeddu (Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy), Kim Son Hoang (Der Standard, Austria) and Ana Somavilla (El Confidencial, Spain) as well as translation services by Ciarán Lawless (Voxeurop). Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
10 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Backlash at Jack Chambers's purge to fund fast-track infrastructure projects
Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers is facing a backlash from Cabinet colleagues over a spending 'purge' to fund an expansion of housing and water infrastructure, has learned. Sources this weekend said ministers are growing increasingly rebellious over Mr Chambers's inter-departmental review of Government spending. One minister told 'It's a purge – there is no other way to describe it. This is all about funding a big-bang style announcement on housing and water in the autumn.' Jack Chambers. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos Mr Chambers is heading the new Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, made up of experts from key State agencies, including Uisce Éireann, the ESB, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. His remit will be to break down infrastructure barriers that block the delivery of housing and public projects, and to secure the significant extra funding required. The Central Bank has said an additional €7bn is needed if the Government is to deliver an average of 54,000 new homes a year. The Central Bank of Ireland. Pic: 4H4 PH/Shutterstock Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann has warned it will need €12.3bn over the next five years to upgrade our leaking water infrastructure. In an indication of the scale of the funding challenge, one minister commented that the €13bn Apple tax windfall 'is only a downpayment on what is required'. They told 'The cost is going to be incredible. It's all about gathering up as much as can be found for housing, water, ESB, power and transport; these are the only things that matter. If it ruffles a few feathers, that's unfortunate.' Pic:Referring to mounting public and political dissatisfaction over missed housing targets, the Cabinet source said: 'We are in last throw-of-the-dice country. There is an updated housing plan, a Summer Economic Statement, a budget and a revised National Development Plan. It's like the bad old days. The minister [Chambers] ' is looking for money everywhere.' However, not all of Mr Chambers's Cabinet colleagues are happy with the impact his spending 'purge' is having on their own coffers. One senior Government source said: 'There is a huge tightening coming. Cutback time is on the way, is the message.' Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos The source said there have been 'wars in [the departments of] Health, in Education, in Higher Education, in Culture' over the spending cutbacks, with particular tensions between Mr Chambers and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media over the sixmonth extension of the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme. One senior Coalition source told 'There was fur and hair flying. The Gradgrinds in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform wanted to abolish it; [but] the minister, Patrick O'Donovan dug in; hence the artists got a six-month stay of execution.' They added: 'There will be a lot more yelping before we get to the final allocations of cash in July.' Patrick O'Donovan. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos But apart from housing, political concern is growing over the long-term consequences of the 37% growth in Government spending since 2021. One minister warned: 'The truth is there's been a lot of waste. The intent of Mr Chambers and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is to ensure the money goes on transport, housing, water and power. 'We have to spend on political necessities – no more luxuries.' Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for State Niall Collins. Pic: Leah Farrell/ Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for State Niall Collins added: 'The time to make tough, durable decisions for the common good is now. 'This Government is acutely aware of the need to chart new, more effective forms of governance and will not be deflected from this challenge.' Ministers also remain divided on the ability of Housing Minister James Browne to manage the accelerating accommodation crisis. One senior Government figure noted: 'No one knows who is running anything really. Technically, James Browne is in charge of Housing, but really, it is the Taoiseach [Micheál Martin] and Jack Chambers. It's a triumvirate, with Fine Gael being on the sidelines.' Another source added: 'It is utterly chaotic. Micheál is trying to run the department, but he doesn't know what is going on. James, who knows what is going on, can't fully run the department because Micheál and Jack Chambers are actually running it, but he can't say it… It's not an example of good governance.' However, some ministers were more supportive of Mr Browne. One Cabinet member said: 'He is evolving in the job. He inherited a desert. His problem is he can't bluff, but possibly after [former housing minister] Darragh O'Brien, that's a bonus.' Another source added: 'He is delivering at an increasing pace. RPZ [the move to make every county in the country a Rent Pressure Zone] was never going to have a happy ending. He managed it as best anyone could.' The source said the choice of former HSE boss Paul Reid as chair of the new planning authority to replace An Bord Pleanála was 'clever? Small things first.'
Extra.ie
11 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Crime teen's boast: 'You can't keep me in custody because Oberstown is full'
Teenage criminals are using WhatsApp groups to keep track of capacity levels at the country's main detention centre for young offenders, has learned. And when they become aware that Oberstown Children's Detention Centre is full, they then embark on 'crime sprees', safe in the knowledge they won't be detained. Gardaí became aware of the WhatsApp groups after teen criminals taken in for questioning bragged about them during Garda interviews. Oberstown Detention Centre. Pic: The revelation comes after Oberstown hit the headlines this week, following a court hearing that revealed there was no space for two juveniles at the centre last weekend. The 17-year-olds were accused, along with two adults, of being armed with a machine gun during a burglary in Shankill in Co. Dublin last week. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has acknowledged that the number of places for young offenders in detention centres needs to be increased. The overcrowding problems are now being exploited by teenage criminals who are actively monitoring capacity levels at the Oberstown facility in north Co. Dublin. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos One senior security source told 'They know when Oberstown is at capacity and, as a result of that, they won't be going into custody. It is then they go on a right spree.' One teenage criminal arrested recently after a vehicle was hijacked told gardaí about the WhatsApp group during an interview. The source said: 'He was bragging that he would be going home because he knew Oberstown was full. 'The situation came to the fore this week with the juveniles, the machine gun and no bed at the inn, so they couldn't be remanded in custody.' The overcrowding crisis is also believed to be a factor in a spate of recent violent incidents at the juvenile detention centre. One Wednesday, nine staff members were assaulted at the facility, four of whom required hospital treatment. Teenagers are becoming aware that Oberstown Detention Centre is full. Pic: Getty Images Trade union Fòrsa has expressed 'grave concern' for the safety of members working at Oberstown. One Oberstown staff member was left with 'life-changing injuries' after their face was slashed in a 'very serious incident' on June 11, according to Fòrsa. The trade union said the incident occurred when a residential care worker attempted to move a young person. It also said ten staff have sustained injuries in three violent incidents since June 8. Mr O'Callaghan, this week, said he was 'very concerned' to hear there was no space for the two 17-year-olds who were involved in the armed burglary in Shankill. They were refused bail after the judge heard a 60-year-old man was 'savagely' beaten in front of his family during the burglary. When it emerged that Oberstown did not have any room, the teenagers were released on bail under 'house arrest' until their appearance at the Children's Court on Monday. But one of the boys who was released on Saturday night failed to attend his court hearing, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Mr O'Callaghan said: 'We need to ensure that if people under 18 years of age are charged with very serious offences, that there's accommodation and places available for them to be remanded in custody, and it's a failure that that wasn't available at the weekend. We need to increase the number of accommodation units available.' Irish Penal Reform Trust executive director Saoirse Brady has called for the introduction of a bail supervision scheme for young offenders, as well as the creation of more secure beds. Speaking on RTÉ's News At One this week, Ms Brady said: 'Judges have been calling this issue out for quite a long time now around the lack of availability of bed spaces in Oberstown for those who may pose a risk to public safety'. She said recent figures show that on any average day in May at the Oberstown facility, one in three young people were held on remand, meaning they had not been convicted of any offence.
