Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
529 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there has been further development of plans, as mentioned in the Irish Prisons Inspectorate’s 2003 report, for a new female prison, similar in design to the Dóchas Centre at Mountjoy, at Limerick Prison; if so, the timeframe for construction of the prison; and the new facilities which will be available for the prisoners. [17781/04]
View answer530 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, since the Irish Prisons Inspectorate report in 2003, there have been changes or improvements in the women’s wing of the Limerick Prison, regarding the lack of privacy around the toilet facilities in the prisoners’ cells. [17782/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 529 and 530 together.
The issues highlighted by the 2003 prisons inspectorate report on the various prisons and places of detention are being addressed through the prisons capital building programme. A new block with space for 100 prisoners has recently been opened at Limerick Prison. This work also included a major refurbishment of E wing where modern fully equipped accommodation for female prisoners has been provided. The cells are equipped with a specially designed modesty screen. I recently announced that I am contemplating the building of a new prison on Spike Island. This new facility would augment the existing Fort Mitchel detention centre on the island as well as replacing the existing Cork Prison. It would be a significant prison complex with separate sections devoted to male adult prisoners, young offenders aged 16 to 17 years and female prisoners.
531 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of women being held in Limerick Prison; and the average for each month since January 2001. [17783/04]
View answerThere were 13 female prisoners in Limerick Prison on 10 June 2004. Figures relating to the number of women in custody for the tenth day, or the nearest date for which figures are available, of each month since January 2001 are set out in the following table:
|
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
January |
9 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
|
February |
13 |
16 |
17 |
17 |
|
March |
16 |
17 |
17 |
15 |
|
April |
12 |
14 |
14 |
12 |
|
May |
17 |
17 |
16 |
16 |
|
June |
16 |
14 |
16 |
13 |
|
July |
17 |
15 |
12 |
— |
|
August |
18 |
19 |
12 |
— |
|
September |
18 |
14 |
14 |
— |
|
October |
18 |
17 |
15 |
— |
|
November |
17 |
14 |
18 |
— |
|
December |
15 |
16 |
19 |
— |
