Shelton Abbey Transfer of inmates
Michael McDowell also wants to privatise the prison escort service and create a new entry grade for recruiting prison officers.
The overtime bill is over €64m so far this year, half of which is paid to prison officers escorting inmates to court or hospital appointments.
The Prison Officers' Association has already put forward proposals which could save €30m.
Spike Island in Cork and the Curragh in Co Kildare are earmarked for closure, although they could be re-opened at a later date.
Also, the running of Loughan House in Cavan and Shelton Abbey in Wicklow are to be taken out of the hands of the Prison Service and therefore prison officers.
The inmates and the officers working there will be transferred mainly to the Midlands Prison, which has space for up to 100 inmates, but also Limerick Prison which has room for 80.
