Minister Jim O’Callaghan welcomes a record €2.180 billion additional capital funding for the Justice sector under the National Development Plan
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 23 Iúil 2025
Minister Jim O’Callaghan has negotiated funding of €2.180 billion under the National Development Plan for major capital projects in the Justice sector from 2026-2030. This is an increase of some €800 million on the previous NDP in 2021.
The funding will be allocated to significantly increase prison capacity, invest in Garda stations, courthouses, the National Cyber Security Centre and for key technology projects for An Garda Síochána and the wider justice sector.
Announcing his sectoral allocation Minister O’Callaghan said:
“This record funding boost for capital development will deliver a wide range of critical major projects across the justice sector. A key priority for me was to secure the necessary funding for the Irish Prison Service to deliver up to 1,500 additional prison spaces. €495 million is being allocated to the Irish Prison Service from 2026-2030 with projects planned at Castlerea, Cloverhill, Mountjoy, Portlaoise, Wheatfield, Midlands, Dóchas and the Old Cork prison site. The capital allocation will also, for the first time, allow substantial work to commence on the development of a new prison at Thornton in North County Dublin.
"I am very pleased to announce a major investment in the security of the State with funding provided for the Gardaí, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and my own department for new immigration and border systems. The technology investment for An Garda Síochána will deliver a new security HQ along with cutting edge digital systems across security, policing and corporate functions.
"I have also prioritised a record investment for An Garda Síochána to support the completion of new Garda Stations and to support a rolling programme of refurbishment works at Garda stations across the country. A further priority was to expand facilities at the Garda College in Templemore to allow for increased Garda training which will support the government’s target of recruiting an additional 5,000 Gardaí and 2,000 Garda Reserves.
"The record funding allocated under the NDP for the justice sector will ensure the safety of our people and the security of the State.”
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 with special responsibility for Migration, Colm Brophy has welcomed the allocation of €200 million funding to support the development of state-owned International Protection accommodation:
“This funding will allow IPAS to plan its programme for state-owned accommodation, and I very much welcome the commitment by Minister Chambers to support further individual purchases on a year-by-year basis. This funding will allow the State to gradually reduce its dependence on commercial premises and secure lower costs within IPAS overall.”
In addition to funding ongoing Public Private Partnerships (PPP) payments, the new NDP will see the construction via a PPP of the new Family Courts in Hammond Lane, Dublin, which will provide 19 new courtrooms.
Funding under Justice ICT will also support the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.