Vol. 474 No. 3
200 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice the number of new prison spaces which will be available by the end of 1997; if Cork prison or Spike Island will be examined with a view to increasing accommodation in these locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3007/97]
Under the accelerated prison building programme which I have initiated, 800 additional prison places are to be provided over the period 1996 to 1998. One hundred and sixty of these places became available in 1996 and a further 180 places are scheduled to come on stream by the end of this year and the balance in 1998. There are no plans under the present programme to provide additional prison places at Cork Prison or at Fort Mitchel Prison, Spike Island.
