Minister Jim O’Callaghan secures Cabinet approval for €2.18 billion Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice 2026-2030
- Published on: 4 December 2025
- Last updated on: 4 December 2025
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan secured Cabinet approval for the Sectoral Investment Plan for Justice under the recent National Development Plan (NDP) Review. The National Development Plan Review is the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State.
The funding allocation of €2.18 billion negotiated by the Minister Jim O’Callaghan, will support major capital projects in the Justice sector from 2026-2030, an increase of over €800 million on the previous NDP in 2021.
The funding will support increased prison capacity, the opening of new Garda stations and new courthouses, further investment in the National Cyber Security Centre and the delivery of key technology for An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice and the wider justice sector.
Key allocations include:
- €528m to deliver the Prisons Capital Plan which includes nearly €500m to deliver more than 1,500 prison spaces
- Investment of €364m in Garda buildings and €460m in digital systems including body worn cameras
- A new approach to investing in the security of the State with €200m for a modern Security HQ, new technology for national security, border security, the National Cyber Security Centre and new National Security Authority.
- €369m funding for the Courts Service for courthouses and technology
- Funding for a new mortuary in Dublin
- €200m to develop state-owned accommodation for immigration purposes
- Major digital investment of €81m across the Department and justice agencies to support a modern immigration system.
Announcing the allocation of €2.18 billion, Minister O’Callaghan said:
“The allocation for the Justice Sector Capital Plan will have a transformative impact on the justice sector over the next five years. This plan sets out my strategic investment priorities and outlines key capital projects that will keep the public safe and enhance the security of the State.
“The priority projects will be delivered by my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, Courts Service and Fiosrú.
This record funding for capital development is essential and will deliver a wide range of major projects across the country.”
€495m is being allocated to the Irish Prison Service (IPS) from 2026-2030 to further increase prison capacity, with construction projects planned at Castlerea, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, Portlaoise, Wheatfield, Midlands, Dóchas and Old Cork prisons during this period, as well as planning for the construction of a new prison at Thornton in north County Dublin. A further €32m is provided to fund technology and fleet in the IPS.
Minister O’Callaghan added:
“I am acutely aware of the capacity constraints in our prisons and the challenges faced by staff and prisoners. The government approved a record investment in capital funding to deliver on my commitment to accelerate the delivery of more than 1,500 additional prison spaces by 2031. The Irish Prison Service is doing excellent work in difficult circumstances, so I am extremely pleased that I secured the funding to help alleviate overcrowding. The Irish Prison Service has a strong track record in delivering projects, with over 190 additional spaces delivered in the last 18 months.”
Unprecedented new investment of €460m in Garda technology will allow for the full national roll-out of body worn cameras and a digital evidence management system. Substantial investments in cyber security, the development of policing systems, and the development of new HR and corporate ICT systems will also be delivered.
Minister O’Callaghan continued:
“The additional funding to support the full nationwide roll-out of body worn cameras for An Garda Síochána, along with a state-of-the-art digital evidence management system, is critical to protect frontline Gardai and prevent criminal activity. Highly successful pilot projects have been operating in Dublin city, Waterford and Limerick. Body worn cameras are not only curbing public aggression and preventing crime, the evidential value of footage is also helping to secure convictions in court."
Investment of €364m in Garda buildings will see the completion of new Garda stations in Portlaoise, Newcastle West, Bailieborough in 2026 and early 2027. It will also support work on new stations in Macroom, Clonmel, Castletroy, Carndonagh and a new HQ for the Dublin north region. The Garda College in Templemore will also receive a significant investment.
Plans are well advanced for the new stations in Clonmel and Macroom with construction underway in Clonmel and commencing in Macroom early 2026.
Importantly, €35m funding is also provided for a rolling programme of minor refurbishment works at Garda stations around the country. This investment will ensure that stations across the country receive improvements in accessibility and essential infrastructure, helping to maintain a safe, functional and fit-for-purpose station. It will cover works across Greystones, Dungarvan, Sligo, Mayostone, Bandon, Bridgend, Ferns and Cork Airport.
The Minister concluded:
“The construction of state-of-the-art Garda stations in Portlaoise, Bailieborough, Newcastle West, Clonmel, Macroom, North Dublin Garda HQ, Castletroy and Carndonagh are strategic priorities for An Garda Síochána and will have a hugely positive impact on the local communities they serve. Additional investment in the Garda College in Templemore will support the Government’s target of recruiting an additional 5,000 Gardaí.”
€69m is also being provided to An Garda Síochána for investment in expansion, modernisation, diversification and electrification of the fleet over the next five years. A second new helicopter will also be delivered in 2026 significantly enhancing surveillance, search and public order capabilities. Funding is also provided to An Garda Síochána to further develop its drone technology as well as accommodation for the equine and canine units.
Minister of State with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins welcomed the significant capital allocation to Garda resources:
“Tackling crime, and rural crime in particular, is a central priority for me, Minister O’Callaghan and this government. Having a well-equipped, well-resourced, police force with cutting edge technology is fundamental in meeting that challenge. This allocation means that Gardaí in both rural and urban areas will be resourced with the technology necessary to take on criminality in every form, both physical and virtual.”
Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, speaking on the additional resources for the Immigration Service Delivery unit and the allocation of €200m funding to support the development of state- accommodation for immigration purposes, said
“This funding will enable the completion of the immigration modernisation programme and help deliver a firm, fair and effective immigration system which is fit for purpose and leave us ready to deliver on the EU Migration Pact from next year onwards. Additionally, this will enable the State to reduce its dependence on commercial premises and secure lower costs within IPAS by providing additional state owned accommodation facilities.”
In addition to funding ongoing PPP payments, the new NDP will see the construction via a PPP of the new Dublin Family Courts at Hammond Lane which will replace existing outdated venues and facilities with a more family friendly and secure building, which is a key part of the Government’s wider family law reform programme. Construction will also start on a much-needed new Courthouse in Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Ends
Notes to Editor:
The review of the NDP concluded in July 2025, resulting in an overall capital allocation for the Justice Sector from 2026 to 2030 of €2.18 billion, representing an overall increase of €330m over the previously agreed capital ceilings.
Allocations by Vote
|
Vote |
2026 €m |
2027 €m |
2028 €m |
2029 €m |
2030 €m |
Total 2026 - 2030 €m |
|
Vote 20 Garda |
173.80 |
183.55 |
181.95 |
178.24 |
193.00 |
910.54 |
|
Vote 21 Prisons |
67.90 |
95.49 |
110.00 |
133.21 |
121.00 |
527.60 |
|
Vote 22 Courts |
71.50 |
69.60 |
70.50 |
72.60 |
84.70 |
368.90 |
|
Vote 24 Justice |
74.80 |
77.36 |
77.55 |
70.95 |
66.30 |
366.96 |
|
Vote 46 Fiosrú |
2.00 |
4.00 |
|
|
|
6.00 |
|
Total |
390 |
430 |
440 |
455 |
465 |
2,180 |