Vol. 530 No. 3
254 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has in respect of the vacant prison officer accommodation adjacent to Portlaoise Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4035/01]
The position regarding the accommodation referred to by the Deputy is as follows. The houses in question were constructed in the early 1980s as staff accommodation and have been in use for that purpose since that time. A number of these properties are, as the Deputy states, vacant and I understand some have fallen into disrepair. The Prisons Service has, in the circumstances, arranged for a detailed independent structural survey of the vacant houses. Following consideration of the report, a decision will be taken as to their future use.
