I have instructed the Office of Public Works (OPW) to prepare the relevant planning procedures including an assessment of the environmental and related issues arising to enable the construction of a bridge to the island. I am advised by the OPW that this planning process will have commenced by August next. As soon as the planning requirements are complete it is intended to commence construction of the bridge which will take about 18 months to complete. The commissioning of the bridge will facilitate the development of new prison facilities on the island to replace the existing outdated accommodation at Cork Prison.
The contracts for the bridge and the prison facilities will be placed following public tender competitions and I have instructed the OPW to prepare the design and other works which are required prior to the issue of the tender for the construction of bridge. Outline plans for the island prison facilities are being developed at present and these will be finalised later this year. I am not, at this stage in a position to give an estimate of the amount of land required for the prison development or the costs of the project as this will be the subject of a public tender competition.
