The construction of almost 1,000 new prison places is being fast-tracked, as the Republic’s overcrowding crisis worsens, under a plan Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is to present to Cabinet on Wednesday.
He believes a new arrangement, specifically for construction projects to increase capacity at several jails, agreed with Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, will reduce the delivery timelines by between 12 and 18 months.
The agreement has been reached as the number of prisoners being released early, to make space in overcrowded jails for new committals, was continuing to increase.
The Irish Times recently revealed the number of prisoners in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, had exceed 1,000 for the first time, including more than 100 men sleeping on the prison floors. Overall, the prison system is permanently far above 100 per cent capacity.
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A shooting incident in Carlow town last weekend, during which gunman Evan Fitzgerald died, has also renewed calls for the granting of bail to be restricted, which would exert further pressure on the system. Fitzgerald (22), from Carlow, was on bail, having been charged with firearms and explosives offences last year.
Mr O’Callaghan has secured permission for some of the construction projects at the jails to bypass the initial approval stage of the State’s infrastructure guidelines, which are designed to provide oversight of public investment projects and ensure value for money.
He believes the track record of the Irish Prison Service in delivering big projects on time and within budget means it will responsibly manage the works at six prisons, with oversight from the Department of Justice.
The projects include construction works to create 180 extra spaces at the Midlands Prison, Portaloise, 150 extra spaces at Mountjoy and 330 at the old Cork Prison.
The department believes the new fast-tracking, for 960 new spaces, will result in delivery times being shortened by at least 12 months for all of the projects and by up to 18 months in some.
Meanwhile, there are to be changes to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme under proposals to be brought to Cabinet by Minister for Housing James Browne.
Concrete blocks containing excess mica and pyrite minerals caused defects in some 7,000 properties in Donegal, Mayo, Limerick, Clare and Sligo.
The Government introduced the defective blocks scheme to fund remediation of the homes several years ago.
The maximum sum on offer was increased from €420,000 to €460,000 last October.
However, under the current law, this increase applies only to eligible homeowners that are yet to receive a determination in relation to a remediation option and grant amount.
Similarly, the per square metre rates that are used in the scheme to calculate the grant amount were increased in November by between 7.4 per cent and 8.7 per cent.
Mr Browne will seek Cabinet approval for the priority drafting of a Bill that will ensure the increased grant cap, and rates will apply retrospectively to more homeowners affected by construction cost increases who incurred eligible costs since March 29th, 2024.
In another development, Ministers are expected to be updated on proposals to relax planning rules on cabins and modular homes in back gardens.
The proposals being developed by Minister of State for Planning John Cummins would allow such structures to be exempt from planning permission.
Mr Browne is to tell Ministers that an interdepartmental consultation on the plan is “substantially complete” and there will be public consultation this month. Updated exempted development regulations are expected to follow. The intention is for the measure to be introduced this year.
