asked the Minister for Justice if there has been any change in Government plans for the provision of additional prison space and the improvement of prison conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Additional Prison Space.
30.
As has been indicated previously, work is in progress on a number of projects designed to provide additional accommodation for prisoners with a view to both increasing the overall number of prisoners who can be accommodated and to reducing pressure on existing accommodation. The projects on which work is proceeding are a place of detention designed to accommodate 320 at Wheatfield, Clondalkin; a new cell block for 50 at Cork; refurbishment of part of Fort Mitchel, Spike Island in order to provide an additional 30 places; refurbishment of D block at Portlaoise, in order to provide an additional 30 places; refurbishment of part of the present female prison at Mountjoy in order to provide an additional 20 places. In addition the handing over to the prison service of the new unit at the Central Mental Hospital will make available a further 31 places.
This additional accommodation should lead to an improvement in living conditions for prisoners and to a reduction of pressure on existing facilities for visits, work, education and recreation.
As the Deputy will be aware the terms of reference of the Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System included specific examination of the issues raised by him. Decisions in relation to the report are not yet finalised.