I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to the Adjournment debate held in the House on 12 November 2003 in which I outlined the Government's proposals for the future management and operation of Loughan House and Shelton Abbey, in the event that agreement is not reached with the Prison Officers Association on the elimination of prison overtime and other cost reduction measures.
Implementation of the Government's proposals would involve taking the running of Loughan House and Shelton Abbey away from the Irish Prison Service and establishing a post-release centre at each of those locations to which prisoners would be sent on conditional release. My Department is now engaged in finalising the arrangements to be put in place if the agreement of the Prison Officers Association is not forthcoming.