According to new figures released by the Irish Prison Service the state spent just under €3m in prisoner allowance in 2016.
The latest figures which were released under the freedom of information act shows that the Government forked out€2,935,300 to inmates across the country’s 14 prison and detention facilities.
Although originally prisoners were entitled to €2.20 per day, the standard rate has fallen to €1.70. However almost half the country’s inmate’s were still allocated the higher rate of €2.20 per day by the country’s leading prisons.
Even though 47% of prisoners were being paid the daily allowance at the standard rate of €1.70 per day, the costs resulted in a €214,179 annual rise compared to 2015.
The news which will surely not sit well the Irish taxpayer means that the Government spent €27,378,910 on prisoners payments since 2009.
Meanwhile the IPS has defended the allocation of the allowance saying the standard payment is being given to inmates in order for them to participate in structured activities and to reinforce good behaviour, which in turn provides a more stable environment.
Inmates can apparently use all payments to purchase luxuries such as cigarettes, tobacco and toiletries whilst serving their sentence.