The former Cork Prison may be demolished and rebuilt under plans to create over 300 extra prison spaces in the region
Senior Ministers are considering plans to create an extra 960 prison spaces over the next five years.
The proposals will go before cabinet today.
The Justice Minister wants to create 960 extra prison spaces over the next five years to tackle the serious overcrowding problem in Irish jails.
There's been an 11 per cent jump in inmate numbers in the last year, with the country's prison capacity now operating at 115 per cent.
The Old Cork Prison will be demolished and rebuilt under the plans, creating 230 male and 100 female spaces.
Castlerea Prison will house an extra 150 prisoners, while Midlands Prison will see another 180.
In Dublin, a new block for 100 prisoners will go up at Wheatfield, Mountjoy will see an extra 150 spaces made available, while the Dóchas centre will have another 50 spaces for female inmates.
