Vol. 475 No. 4
233 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has for the construction of a new women's prison in Mountjoy to replace the existing unit; whether it will result in an increase in the prison population; and the effect the new prison will have on the local community in terms of scale and property values. [4920/97]
The proposed new women's prison at Cowley Place, Mountjoy, is an essential element of the accelerated programme for the provision of 800 additional prison places by the end of 1998. An interdepartmental committee, under the chairmanship of Minister of State, Deputy Coveney, is progressing the various projects under the accelerated programme as rapidly as possible.
The new women's prison, will provide 60 places. Local government planning procedures for this project have been completed, tenders for the construction of the institution were invited on 14 February and are due to be returned on 18 March. Site works are planned to commence in April of this year and to be completed in October 1998.
The existing women's prison at Mountjoy has accommodation for 40 prisoners. On completion of the new women's prison that accommodation will become available for male prisoners.
The new prison will be situated on the existing Mountjoy site and will be within a secure perimeter. The prison complex has been designed to fit the existing street scape and is such that it will enhance the appearance of the whole Cowley Place site on the North Circular Road.
Improved facilities for the handling and control of visitors to the prison complex will result from this building construction programme.
