I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 to 307, inclusive, together.
Since 1997 a total of €7,155,207 has been spent on capital and maintenance works at Fort Mitchel Place of Detention. Information on similar costs over the previous 12 years is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources. My Department has previously examined the feasibility of building a bridge to Fort Mitchel Place of Detention. At this point in time there are no plans to progress such a project.
I am aware of speculation in the media and elsewhere about the possible closure of Fort Mitchel Place of Detention, and other prisons and places of detention, as part of measures to control prison costs generally. The position is that the efforts of the Prison Service to control costs in prisons are currently very much focused on reaching agreement with the Prison Officers Association on a range of measures designed to significantly enhance the operational efficiency of prisons. Negotiations on this are at a critical stage, and I hope and believe that agreement can be reached. I have made clear, however, that, in the absence of agreement, immediate and potentially significant measures will be required to bring costs under control. I am discussing with my Cabinet colleagues the options available in this regard.