A new prison for Cork and Munster is planned for Spike Island. It will accommodate up to 500 prisoners.
This was confirmed following the revelation in yesterday's Irish Prisons Inspectorate's report that although some €5.5 million has been spent on plans for new buildings at Cork Prison, these are now not going ahead.
The Irish Prison Service says it is now planning a brand new building, and a land bridge to accommodate its needs for a prison in Cork and Munster.
Spokesperson Jim Mitchell said he was waiting on a report from the Office of Public Works before commenting on why or how so much money was spent on plans that have now been shelved.
The island prison, which housed mainly young prisoners, has been closed since last year when the staff were transferred to other prisons within the service.
The report by the Prisons Inspectorate says Cork Prison is the most overcrowded prison in the State, with an average of 269 prisoners.
The report also says that the practice of slopping out continues in most cells, and that the overall level of staff sick leave at the prison is high and needs attention.
It was noted that most prisoners do not access education facilities, that visiting facilities are poor and that many of them were unhappy with the prison's medical service.
The attitude of staff and prisoners was found to be quite good and bullying and racism did not appear to be a problem.
