Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 6

Written Answers. - Justice System.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

64 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in 1998 in the implementation of his proposals as outlined in An Action Programme for the Millennium in relation to extra prison spaces, extra gardaí, extra facilities to enable more rapid process in the courts, prison officer strength, rehabilitation of prisoners, improved and advanced facilities for prevention, detection and treatment for drug users, improved availability of treatment for drug users and improved access for users to treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6791/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am happy to be able to inform the Deputy of the progress to date in relation to the commitments made in the programme for Government referred to.

The Government's current prison building programme will provide over 1,000 additional places within the first two years of this Government. I am committed to the provision of a total of 2,000 additional places over the life of this Government.

The following is the up-to-date position regarding the programme for the provision of additional places: Limerick ‘D' Block — 60 places — construction completed and being brought into use at present; Castlerea main prison — 152 places — construction was completed at the end of February 1998 and the prison is currently being fitted out for early occupancy; the new remand prison beside Wheatfield, in Dublin — 400 places — construction work to be completed late this year and the new women's prison at Mountjoy — 80 places — construction work to be completed late this year.

The planning for the provision of a new prison at Portlaoise is well under way. Competitive tenders for the provision of this new 400 prisoner facility, by means of a private sector design, build and finance package, have been received and are being evaluated at present. Construction is to be completed within 15 months from the date of commencement, i.e. by mid-1999.

All of these projects will provide well over 1,000 new prison places. My Department is now commencing planning for the remaining places that are to be provided during the life of this Government.

The current strength of the prison service is 2,560. A recruitment campaign is under way to ensure sufficient staff for the new prison places which the Government is committed to providing.

In addition to the range of educational programmes for all prisoners, special treatment programmes are in place for sex offenders, operated by the psychology and probation and welfare services. Individual counselling is available in all institutions with the temporary exception of the Curragh Place of Detention. A dedicated intensive programme is well established in Arbour Hill prison. It is hoped to introduce a similar programme in the Curragh. Plans are at an advanced stage for the introduction of a different type of programme — thinking skills training programme — in Cork Prison.

Most prisons are relatively drug free. The biggest problem is in the Dublin committal institutions. The operation of the Mountjoy drug treatment facility and the drug free unit at the training unit are currently under review. It is intended to have a medical treatment programme, if required, and a secure drug free unit in every closed institution as soon as possible. The progress that can be made in this area is limited, however, until additional prison accommodation becomes available.

The Working Group on a Courts Commission recently submitted to me its report on drugs courts. This report recommended that a pilot scheme of such courts should be implemented. I am considering its report and I will be putting proposals to Cabinet in this regard shortly.

The commitment in the programme for Government requires the recruitment of 2,200 Garda trainees over the period 1998 to 2001, inclusive, to bring the strength of the force to 12,000 by the year 2002. The additional recruitment necessary commenced in January.

My Department is currently undertaking a major courts building programme which will both upgrade existing facilities and provide new facilities where required.

The Deputy may be aware that a new courthouse has just opened in Tallaght at a cost of £1 million to replace the facility in Rathfarnham which was in poor condition and that the courthouses in Portarlington and Abbeyfeale were recently refurbished. A new holding cell area with separate access for prisoners and a new jury call-over area have also been provided for the courts at Chancery Place in the Four Courts to overcome safety problems and more importantly, to provide suitable additional accommodation for persons attending court for jury duty service.

Refurbishment projects are also under-way in Portlaoise, Ennis, Roscrea, Cork and Edenderry. The programme is ongoing and I will be approving further projects as the year progresses.