Peter Barry
Ceist:51 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to build a new prison in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - New Cork Prison.
As the Deputy will be aware, there were plans in the late seventies to construct a new place of detention for young male offenders at Rathmore Road, Cork. Design was well advanced before financial constraints interrupted work in the early 1980's. As I indicated in reply to written Question No. 110 on 6 April, 1993, I am reviewing policy in relation to the operation of prisons and clearly one of the policy options which has to be considered is the provision of more cell places. Other options such as the further development of community based sanctions as an alternative to imprisonment and the development of more liberal parole arrangements are also under consideration. I will make a further statement in this regard when my review is completed.