asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that a number of cottages attached to the Portlaoighise Prison are at present unoccupied and in a bad state of repair, and if, in view of the shortage of houses in the town, he will consider the advisability of letting the vacant cottages to officials in the service of the Prisons Board or to other suitable tenants.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LETTING OF PORTLAOIGHISE COTTAGES.
There are eight unoccupied prison officers' cottages at Portlaoighise Prison, of which five have been allocated to prison officers who have not gone into possession of them. The remaining three cottages are held in reserve for such additional officers as may be required when the work of reconditioning the prison is complete and it is capable of carrying its full capacity of prisoners. All the cottages are in good repair and fit for occupation. It is not advisable to make lettings to other than prison officers of cottages required for the accommodation of prison staffs.