Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 1

Written Answers. - Proposed Women's Prison.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

189 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice if she will give details of the new women's prison proposed for Mountjoy Prison, Dublin 7; the size and cost of this prison; the number of inmates it will hold; whether the development will mean more inmates on the complex; whether all the inmates for the proposed prison are already on the complex; if the location is fully developed; if there is space for additional accommodation in the future if so required; and if she will make a statement on the matter in view of the concerns of local residents regarding the development and traffic problems arising from it. [20329/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The new women's prison at Cowley Place, North Circular Road, Dublin 7 will have a capacity for 60 prisoners. The cost of construction of the new prison and its associated facilities is estimated by the Office of Public Works at £12.7 million.

The existing Mountjoy Women's Prison, housed in "D" wing/St. Patrick's Institution, can accommodate up to 40 prisoners. This accommodation will revert to use as a male prison following completion of the new women's prison. A small area within the new women's prison has been reserved for possible future development. Its potential is identified at a maximum of ten additional bed spaces. The proposed new remand prison at Cloverhill, Wheatfield will have the effect of significantly reducing the volume of visitor traffic to the Mountjoy complex. At present third party observations, including those of the local residents, on the development of the women's prison are under consideration at present and as part of this process the issues regarding traffic management will be considered.