Justice-sector budget up €800 million under NDP
The justice sector will receive funding of €2.18 billion under the National Development Plan (NDP) for major capital projects from 2026-2030.
This is an increase of some €800 million on the previous NDP in 2021 and will see the construction, through a Public Private Partnership (PPP), of the family-courts complex in Hammond Lane, Dublin 7, which will provide 19 new courtrooms.
Funding under Justice ICT will also support the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
The funding will be allocated to significantly increase prison capacity, invest in garda stations, courthouses, the National Cyber Security Centre, and for key policing technology.
Boost
Minister for Justice Jim 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 start on the development of a new prison at Thornton in North County Dublin, he said.
“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,” he said.
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.
New garda stations and a rolling programme of refurbishment works will also be funded, as well as expanded training facilities at Templemore, to support recruiting an additional 5,000 gardaí and 2,000 garda reserves.
Minister of State with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice Niall Collins welcomed the significant capital allocation to garda resources.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Migration Colm Brophy welcomed the allocation of €200 million for 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.”