asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the plans that existed in his Department on 14th March, 1973, for the provision of extra prison accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Accommodation.
2.
On 14th March, 1973, plans at various stages of implementation in my Department for the provision of extra prison accommodation included the following: (a) a new corrective training unit in Mountjoy, (b) a new women's prison and detention centre in Kilbarrack, Dublin, (c) a second detention centre in Dublin for offenders aged 16-21 years, (d) conversion of the former military detention barracks in Arbour Hill, Dublin, to a civil prison, (e) conversion of the former military detention barracks in Cork to a civil prison, (f) a detention centre in Cork for offenders aged 16-21 years.
Is the Minister satisfied that it is in the best public interest to proceed with the erection of the new women's prison and detention centre in Kilbarrack in view of the fact that land in the area is very scarce and that this particular site could be availed of for a much more desirable social purpose?
It is a question of assessing which is more desirable socially, to build houses there or to provide an up-to-date prison for female offenders. The site has been acquired for a considerable time. It was assessed as being suitable for the purpose for which it was originally acquired and plans for that site are at an advanced stage of preparation. I am advised that it is a good site for the purpose for which it was acquired and there is no doubt about it but that that purpose is one of social priority.
When I was in touch with the Minister about this matter I informed him that the site could be very useful for educational and various other social purposes. Is the Minister quite satisfied that this women's prison could not be accommodated anywhere else equally satisfactorily?
I am sure that it could be accommodated somewhere else but there is a serious urgency about building a new women's prison. This site has been acquired for some considerable time for this purpose and it would put back the plans for providing a new women's prison by an unreasonably long time if we were to change at this stage.
What stage are the plans at?
They are being drawn. Architecturally speaking, I could not state at what stage they are at, but they are pretty well on.