Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Capital Projects.

Richard Bruton

Question:

368 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will publish the details of the capital projects being initiated during 2003 by his Department and planned for the following four years; and the current estimate of the final cost of the projects in each case. [14457/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The information sought by the Deputy is as follows:

Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme.My Department operates a capital grant scheme under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme. This is a demand driven scheme for projects which are initiated by external child care providers.

Garda Síochána.The capital provision in the Garda Síochána Vote is primarily used to fund projects in the information technology and telecommunications areas. With regard to 2003, the provision relates to projects which are already under way such as the development of the fixed charge processing system to facilitate the introduction of penalty points. With regards to the years 2004 to 2007, priorities for IT and telecommunications are discussed and agreed with the Garda authorities in the context of the estimates process.

Probation and Welfare Service.The following is a list of Probation and Welfare Service capital projects planned to commence during the current year. It should be noted that the cost will be subject to tender.

Blanchardstown – Probation and Welfare Office, Athlone – Probation and Welfare Office, Tuam – extension to and renovation of existing Probation and Welfare project, Ballinasloe – extension to and renovation of existing Probation and Welfare project, Cork Hostel – extension to and renovation of existing residential hostel for young male offenders. As tenders have not been received in these projects, it is not possible to provide costings at this stage. Capital development in future years will be contingent on the extent of the financial allocation for capital development. Therefore, it is not possible to provide details of capital projects planned for the period 2004-07 at this stage.

Irish Prison Service.Prisons capital projects being initiated and-or contemplated during 2003 are listed as follows. As tenders have not been received in these projects, it is not possible to provide costings at this stage. Capital development in future years will be contingent on the extent of the financial allocation for capital development. Therefore, it is not possible to provide details of capital projects planned for the period 2004-2007 at this stage. Building works at Cloverhill Prison, including putting integral sanitation in ten holding cells and “pilot” video link project, fire safety works at the training unit place of detention and Wheatfield Prison, Adjustments to padded-observation cells nation-wide, includes sleeping plinths, wider window apertures and integral sanitation.

Land RegistryTwo IT infrastructure projects – one in relation to the Registry of Deeds and the other in relation to digital mapping are at consultancy stage. No decision has yet been taken in these projects and no costings are available at this stage.

Courts Service.In the Courts Service the following information technology capital projects have been initiated during 2003: enhancement of criminal case tracking system, deployment of criminal case tracking system nation-wide, implementation of small claims on-line system. There are no additional IT capital projects at the detailed planning stage for the following years.The following Courthouse Capital projects have been initiated during 2003: major courthouse refurbishment projects at Dundalk, €10 million and Limerick, €9 million, which have been completed; major refurbishment projects at Ennis Courthouse and Castlebar Courthouse; fit out of new accommodation at Navan, and The Courts Service in conjunction with Sligo County Council is developing a one stop shop in Tubbercurry to provide a District Court facility.

It is not possible to provide costings at this stage as tenders have not been finalised in these projects. The Courts Service has put in place a seven year capital building programme and capital projects will be progressed in accordance with that programme. Priority is given to the refurbishment of county town venues. The Courts Service is allocated funds on an annual basis and implementation of the capital building programme is dependant on funding from year to year.