Vol. 464 No. 1
88 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice the reason proposals for the building of a new women's prison have been abandoned; if her attention has been drawn to the need to have such a facility built for female offenders; if she will ensure that this proposal is dealt with as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7725/96]
In June 1995, the Government decided to defer beyond 1996 the provision of the new women's prison. This decision was taken in the context of a comprehensive review of budget proposals for 1996, conducted at that time. Subsequently, on 30 January this year, with Government approval, I announced a package of measures to tackle crime, which included the immediate recommencement of work in connection with the building of a women's prison for 60 offenders at Cowley Place, beside Mountjoy Prison. Following on this announcement, design work for the new women's facility is progressing.
