asked the Minister for Justice (a) the number of vehicles in use in the prison service and if he will specify the type of vehicle involved and the area where it is in use; (b) the cost of prison service transport in the period August 1972 to August 1982 and the yearly cost; (c) the cost of additional transport and non-prison transport and if he will give details of any or all additional transport, specifying types and cost; (d) if any plans to provide a separate prison service transport system have been made for the immediate future; and if he will make a statement on these matters.
Written Answers. - Prison Transport Service.
78.
Limerick East): The information required by the Deputy at (a) of his question is as follows.
Number of vehicles: 26. Type: Five cars, two vans, 15 minibuses, two landrovers, two trucks. Location: St Patrick's Institution — one minibus, *two cars; Mountjoy Prison — two vans, two minibuses; Portlaoise Prison — one minibus; Limerick Prison — two minibuses; Shanganagh Castle — two minibuses; Cork Prison — one minibus; Loughan House — two minibuses; Shelton Abbey — one minibus, one car; Arbour Hill Prison — one minibus; Training Unit — one minibus, one car; Central Prison Stores — one minibus, one car, two trucks; Fort Mitchel Prison — two landrovers.
*Includes one car on loan from Garda Síochána.
The information required at (b) and (c) of the Deputy's question is not readily available. To compile such information a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources would be involved.
As regards the final part of the Deputy's question there are no plans at present for the introduction of a separate prison service transport system and I am quite satisfied that the existing system is adequate to suit prison needs.