Justice minister to accelerate building of nearly 1,000 prison spaces across the country

Justice minister 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. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

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.