Vol. 488 No. 1
241 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, his Department has for St. Patrick's place of detention following the opening of the new remand centre; if it is proposed to continue its use as a remand or committal prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5663/98]
At present the intention is that all male remands, including those currently remanded to St. Patrick's, would be accommodated in the new remand centre adjacent to Wheatfield place of detention which will come into operation in early 1999. However, should the number of remands exceed the anticipated figure it may prove necessary to continue to use part of St. Patrick's for particular remands. The availability of 400 extra prison places will help to relieve the present problem with overcrowding in St. Patrick's and this, in turn, should have a beneficial effect on the general standard of accommodation there.
