Parliamentary Questions

102. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to proceeding with the building of a prison on the Thornton Hall site; the capacity levels of each prison, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26771/16]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The Thornton Hall site comprises 156 acres and was purchased as the site for a proposed prison development to replace Mountjoy Prison campus. The project did not proceed.
A Working Group was established by the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality to examine options for the future use of the Thornton Hall site. The group was asked to examine options which would yield the best possible value for the State in its future use. I am advised the work of the group is nearing completion and their report will be submitted to me for consideration.
The Irish Prison Service publishes daily figures in relation to the prisoner population and capacity levels on their website www.irishprisons.ie. The bed capacity of each prison is set out in the following table.