Patrick J. Morley
Question:69 Mr. Morley asked the Minister for Justice when the prisons at Castlerea and Mountjoy will be fully operational. [9757/96]
Written Answers. - Prison Projects.
Seamus Kirk
Question:77 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Justice the anticipated completion date of proposed prisons at Castlerea and Mountjoy. [9749/96]
Ivor Callely
Question:148 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the current position regarding the Castlerea prison project, County Roscommon; the original completion date in respect of this project; the current likely timescale for completion of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9859/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 77 and 148 together.
As I announced earlier this year, the development of the Castlerea prison project will take place in phases. The first phase was the completion of the perimeter wall. As a second phase I propose to construct a special secure unit to accommodate 25 offenders. A contract has been place for initial works and tenders for the provision of the new buildings for this unit have recently been received and are being examined at present. I expect to be a position to place a contract for these works very shortly and to have them completed by August-September.
The original proposals for the main prison development at Castlerea, Phase 3, while incorporating the use of the existing hospital buildings, envisaged a significant amount of new, purpose-designed buildings in the overall plan. I have directed that a comprehensive review of the original plans be undertaken with a view to maximising the use of the existing hospital buildings and confining new buildings largely to cellular accommodation. My Department, with the assistance of the Office of Public Works, is proceeding with planning and design works for this proposed facility. Normally, projects of this size and nature could be expected to be completed in a period of 20 to 27 months.
I am not in a position, at this stage, to indicate when this new prison facility will be completed or to confirm the number of places to be provided other than to say that the overall number to be accommodated at Castlerea will be of the order envisaged in the original plan.
In regard to the new women's prison, with the approval of Government, I had work on the planning and design of this facility to accommodate 60 offenders and located on the Cowley Place site, beside Mountjoy Prison, recommenced earlier this year and it is being progressed at present. Planning and related matters are being progressed and until these matters are completed it is not yet possible to give a definite date for the completion of the project.