Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jul 1975

Vol. 284 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arbour Hill, Dublin, Prison.

37.

asked the Minister for Justice the full cost to the Exchequer of the recently opened prison at Arbour Hill, Dublin; the amount expended on (a) accommodation for prisoners, (b) administrative accommodation and (c) accommodation for prison officers; and the amount by which the original estimate for the work was exceeded to rectify impractical features such as the design of the Governor's office.

The original contract, which was placed in October, 1973, was for the expenditure of £445,000, subject to the usual price variation clause. It was recognised then that the estimate was very tentative and likely to be revised if for no other reason than that difficulties in converting a very old building into a modern prison were to be expected even if they could not be quantified.

The total amount expended to date is £956,640. The building is not yet fully complete and I am informed that the final total is likely to be in the region of £1,100,000. Of this figure, £1,060,000 will have been expended on prisoners' accommodation and £40,000 on administrative accommodation.

Inevitably some changes had to be made from time to time during the building and restructuring. In the case of the Governor's office it was found that the partitioning between it and the general office did not adequately meet the requirements in regard to privacy for interviews, discussions and conferences and the necessary alterations cost £800 which, of course, included the cost of the partition now provided.

It is intended to erect a new prison officers' quarters on a site adjoining the prison at a cost of approximately £270,000. Work on this project is expected to commence in the autumn.

Top
Share