Taoiseach Michael Martin says he appreciates the concerns some residents in the Northside may have about the old Cork prison reopening.
Senior Ministers want to create an extra 960 prison spaces over the next 5 years across the country, with over 300 extra prison spaces planned for Cork.
Speaking to RedFM News, the Taoiseach says the system is under pressure and the spaces need to be found.
"There's a huge pressure for spaces.
"The Minister for Justice is responding in the immediate, short term and medium term to provide additional spaces, to ensure our criminal justice system is fit for purpose, and that when people are sentenced in prison there is somewhere where there is a prison for them."
