Vol. 348 No. 11
asked the Minister for Justice the educational and recreational facilities that are available to the prisoners in the women's prison, Limerick; and if it is intended to provide at least a study room and craft-making facilities for the women prisoners.
49.
asked the Minister for Justice the size of the exercise yard in the women's prison in Limerick; and the number of women prisoners there.
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
There are 12 women in custody in Limerick Prison at present. Educational facilities available to these prisoners are limited. A remedial teacher from the local vocational education committee gives instruction to prisoners in reading and writing. In addition any books which prisoners require while pursuing a course of private study are also provided.
The situation has been under review in consultations between the co-ordinator of education of my Department and the vocational education committee and arrangements are being made to provide classes in craftwork, hairdressing, personal hygiene etc. It is hoped that these additional classes will start within a few months.
As regards outdoor recreational facilities, I refer the Deputy to a reply given on 2 February 1983, Official Report Volume 339, columns 829 to 830, regarding the size of the exercise yard. The yard is a grassed area with a tarmaced walkway, approximately 6,196 square feet in size. In the summer the grassed area is used for playing tennis, football etc. Indoors there is an exercise room available which contains "keep fit" equipment (exercise bicycle, rowing machine).
The prisoners also have use of a recreation hall which contains a television, a video recorder and a record player. Television programmes normally screened after 8 p.m. are recorded and shown the following day. Limerick Corporation provide library facilities to the women prisoners.
