The Justice Minister says preparatory works on four key projects are due to get underway this year.
More money has been announced to try to deal with prison capacity issues.
Last week, the Prison Officers Association claimed the system is at breaking point with almost 1,000 more prisoners nationally that capacity would allow.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said the nearly €50 million will increase capacity in the short-term through undefined measures.
She says preparatory works will begin on four projects, including the Midlands Prison, this year, with construction expected to start in 2025.
Gabriel Keaveny of the IPOA says dangerous levels of overcrowding cannot be allowed to continue:
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