asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of the prison development programme which was sanctioned by the Government in 1981-82 and cancelled by the Government in 1983; and the costs and fees already incurred at the time of cancellation.
Written Answers. - Prison Capital Programme.
93.
Limerick East): The reference to the prison development programme is no doubt intended to relate to the capital programme. It is not correct to say that that programme — or any part of it— was cancelled by the Government in 1983.
Basically, what has happened is that financial constraints that have operated over a number of years now have made it impossible to proceed as quickly as would have been possible if those constraints had not existed but, while certain planned projects came to a halt or were slowed down, there has been no decision to abandon any of the projects.
This is not a matter of semantics, as the facts which I propose to give will show. First, however, it is necessary to note that the dates given in the question are not accurate. The projects themselves were approved in 1979-80, rather than 1981-82 as suggested. Already by 1981 the position was that financial constraints made it necessary to slow down or bring to a temporary halt various aspects of the work. While there were subsequent fluctuations in the level of money being made available, there has never, since 1981, been a time when financial constraints were not operating to hold back some significant parts of the developments. It therefore is misleading in this context to refer to 1983 in particular.
While there are and have been substantial developments in other institutions over the years, the question appears to be intended to relate to four specific projects, two in Wheatfield, one in Cork and one in Portlaoise.
Of the two in Wheatfield, one is not only under construction, the contract having been signed last autumn, but is being constructed to a substantially expanded plan as compared with what was originally envisaged, with provision for 320 spaces rather than the original 150. Significant progress has also been made in site works at the other Wheatfield project, and the plans for that project have been brought to the stage where tenders could be invited and a contract placed if resources were available.
The Cork project has not reached tender stage and is at present halted but I have no reason to believe that the project will not continue as soon as resources become available.
The fourth project was a new prison affording a high degree of security near to the present prison in Portlaoise. This was planned as an additional prison, not a replacement for the existing one. Because it turned out that the initial plans would have been significantly more expensive to bring to fruition than had been contemplated, it was necessary to re-plan for a lower cost level and, by the time that was done, the general financial constraints made it impossible for the time being to proceed.
While I have put some emphasis on the fact that none of the projects has been abandoned — as is indeed underlined by the fact that substantial progress has been made on some, despite some temporary slowings-down or halts— I must of course also say that when resources become available it may be necessary to have a fresh look at each project with a view to seeing how it measures up to the needs of the situation as it will then be in the light of all the circumstances.