Written Answers Nos. 156-159
156. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide information on the current number of prisoners occupying cells in the new block in Midlands Prison, County Laois; the extent to which the new block is currently being utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24886/13]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the opening of the new block is taking place over a phased basis. On 21 May 2013, there were 726 prisoners in custody in the Midlands Prison. Of these, 197 prisoners were occupying cells in the new block across four of the six wings. Plans to open the remaining wings are progressing and are dependent on the finalisation of the joint Task Review reports for the Mountjoy campus and the recruitment of Prison Administrative and Support Officers.
157. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently occupying the recently refurbished Mountjoy B wing, Dublin; the overall bed capacity of Mountjoy Prison for the months of February, March and April 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24887/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the number of prisoners occupying the B wing in Mountjoy Prison on 21 May 2013 was 117. The overall bed capacity of Mountjoy Prison is 540. This bed capacity has not changed during the months of February, March and April 2013.
158. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the refurbishment of the Harristown House development, County Roscommon; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24897/13]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that refurbishment of the Harristown House development is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for accommodating low risk prisoners by early June, 2013.
159. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the development of Cloverhill/Loughan House, Dublin; the expected date for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24898/13]
View answerThe Irish Prison Service advises me that no significant development works are either underway or planned at either Cloverhill Prison or Loughan House Open Centre during 2013.
However a range of smaller projects being undertaken at Loughan House this year comprises a bundle of small works that was put together in order to achieve economies of scale. Essentially the projects involve the relocation of the medical surgery from an upper floor to the ground floor area, refurbishment of two shower rooms, roof repairs, replacement of some floor coverings and replacement of a number of doors that were damaged beyond repair. The works commenced on April 15th and are scheduled to be completed in July next.
A similar range of smaller projects at Cloverhill have been completed. Most of these projects were in response to recommendations by the Irish Prison Service Transformation Team as part of the Joint Task Review reports with a view to achieving staffing efficiencies. I am further informed by the Irish Prison Service that there are plans afoot to undertake a further project later this year involving the building of observation hubs in the exercise yards. which will achieve considerable staffing efficiencies.
