Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - Women's Prison.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

187 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice her proposals for establishing a prison for women in Everton House, Old Cabra Road, Dublin 7; her reasons for selecting the north side of Dublin which already contains 60 per cent of the national prison population; the level of consultation she has engaged in with the local community; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The project, "Bridging the Gap", is being established at Everton House under the EC NOW Initiative (New Opportunities for Women) to provide a training and education centre for women in trouble with the law. The facility will be non-residential and will not be a prison. The project will be community-based with women participating during normal office hours in the courses provided. The centre is intended for women aged 17 years and upwards who:

—are on daily temporary release from prison;

—are on full temporary release from prison and living at home;

—who have been through the Prison System but are in need of preliminary pre-training, training and support in the community.

Women coming directly from prison will be carefully screened and evaluated to ensure that they are suitable and committed to the ideals of the project. Foundation work will be done with them while in prison.

Seven staff are being recruited to run the centre giving a high staff-participant ratio which will ensure quality supervision and efficient management of the centre. It is envisaged that the centre will cater for 10-12 women. A Management Committee has been set up comprising an official from my Department, Prison Staff, the Probation and Welfare Service, the Vocational Education Committee, the Council for the Status of Women and others. The Committee are proposing, in consultation with Dublin Corporation, to refurbish the building such that there is minimal change to the external fabric of the house. Representatives of the Management Committee have met with representatives of local residents' associations and have discussed and written to other interested residents and parties about the project. I understand the community's concerns for their families, property and livelihood and I will be doing all in my power to ensure that the project is self-contained, that there continues to be consultation with the community and that the project will be so designed as to assuage any of their concerns. As part of this process, the Management Committee has offered the residents places on the Management Committee so that they can have a say in the development of the project. The Management Committee has also, subject to agreeing details, offered the residents use of the facility when it is established for evening meetings, group sessions and other activities, etc. I feel this sort of joint approach is the best way forward. The community can play a vital role in the very careful development of this project and, in this connection, I have arranged to meet with them next week.