Vol. 461 No. 8
29 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to have the prison in the Curragh, County Kildare opened and made operational as a place of detention in respect of criminal matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2293/96]
58 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to use the Curragh military jail as a place of detention for criminal offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2213/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 58 together.
A Government decision of 30 January, 1996 approved, inter alia, the adaptation of the existing Military Detention Barracks at the Curragh for use as a civil prison to provide places for up to 50 offenders. Planning of the necessary adaptation works has already commenced and I expect to have this new prison facility ready for use by autumn this year.
