Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 2

Written Answers. - Prison Conditions.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

33 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice the improvements, if any, she will be making to the conditions in which female prisoners are kept in view of the fact that two prominent representatives of the ICA recently described conditions for women in Limerick prison as archaic and inhuman; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

In relation to the general question of accommodation for women offenders the Government, on my recommendation and as already announced, has approved the provision of a new women's prison. My intention is that the new prison will be designed and organised with an ambience, activities and facilities appropriate to the special needs of women offenders. In this context, I established an expert steering committee to advise me on the best options to take in relation to the design of the prison to meet the high standards required.

The future use of the women's prison in Limerick is being assessed in the light of the decision to build a new women's prison. I do not wish to anticipate the results of that assessment but, clearly, there are strong arguments for retaining the prison for at least local short term prisoners. In any event, substantial improvements would have to be made to bring the prison up to an acceptable standard. It would be premature to decide on the extent of the improvement works and the time-scale for them before the assessment was completed.