Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 6

Written Answers. - Prisons Building Programme.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Ceist:

27 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, she has received from the private sector in relation to the prisons building programme; the way in which she has responded to each of those proposals; the date on which commencement of the new jail at Wheatfield can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5485/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

Expressions of interest in the current accelerated prisons building programme were received from a broad spectrum of private sector interests in the building construction industry and associated enterprises.

The proposals received covered various combinations of project design, construction, finance, prison operation and management, including lease back arrangements. They also covered options in regard to conventional, pre-cast and containerised construction methods.

All proposals received in regard to the prisons building programme were acknowledged and brought to the attention of the inter-departmental group on the accelerated prisons programme under the chairmanship of Mr. Hugh Coveney, Minister of State at the Office of Public Works for assessment and evaluation. The committee had representation from the Department of Finance, the Office of Public Works and my Department. The committee, in coming to its conclusions, considered a number of aspects including general suitability of the approach proposed for provision of prisons, speed and control of the planning and construction programmes and cost of capital financing. It was decided that all projects should be Exchequer funded.

In the case of Castlerea Main Prison and the new Remand Prison at Wheatfield a design-build option for procurement was preferred, while for the new Women's Prison beside Mountjoy, Curragh Prison, Unit A at Castlerea and the replacement block at Limeick Prison, the conventional method of inviting tenders for a fully designed facility was followed. Selective tendering procedures are followed in respect of all projects under the prisons building programme.

The proposed new remand prison at Wheatfield, to provide 400 places for male prisoners, is a major component of the overall accelerated prisons building programme which will provide over 800 additional places by the end of 1998. Construction of this new facility is planned to commence in May-June this year and to be completed by the end of 1998.