According to freedom of information figures, the state paid prisoners in Ireland over €3m.
The state paid prisoners over €3m in pocket money last year.
According to freedom of information figures, they also got nearly €5m in gifts from family and friends.
At the moment, there are just under 4,000 prisoners in 13 jails across the state.
Every inmate receives a daily allowance from the Irish Prison Service, which they can spend in the tuck shop.
The standard rate is €1.70 cents a day, but this rises to €2.20 for well-behaved prisoners and is cuts to €0.95c for bad behaviour.
Inmates can get additional payments of up to €3.50 a week for working in areas like kitchens or launderies, or for painting.
Last year prisoners got a total of nearly €3.1munder these schemes.
Prisoners got a further €4.9m in gifts from family and friends.
Just under €1m of that was given to inmates in the country's biggest jail - Midlands Prison in Portlaoise.
Former governor of Mountjoy and Portlaoise Prisons, John Lonergan says the amount is small but can also be used to incentivise prisoners:
Midlands Artists To Feature In New Wetlands Guide
Midlands Advocacy Service For Sexual Abuse Survivors Praise Victim For Getting Justice
Laois Windfarm Developer Awarded 50% Of Legal Costs
Midlands Simon Calls On Government For Retrofit Funding
Midlands Charity Calls For State Support To Help Move People Off The Streets
Offaly Singer In Semi-Final Of Glór Tíre Tonight
Fáilte Ireland Urges Off Peak Holidays As Staycation Demand Grows
Ireland Plans Charter Evacuations As Middle East Conflict Escalates
Deaf Laois Couple Face €10k Hearing Aid Bill
Pfizer Opens Midlands Applications For Apprenticeship Programme
Emergency Services Attend Scene Of Laois Crash
Bressie Adds New Dates To 2026 Irish Tour
BnM Unveils Eight Firms For 2026 Accelerate Green Programme
Westmeath County Council Urged To Buy Larger Homes For Families In Need
High Court Told Enoch Burke Transferred From Mountjoy Without Reason
Westmeath Community Launches ‘Feeling Safe Survey’
Midlands Hospital Experiencing High Admission Numbers
Retired Taxi Driver Calls For Safer Roundabouts In Laois
Laois County Council Continue Work On Rat Infestation
Laois Psychotherapist Criticises ESRI Report On School Absences