Vol. 563 No. 4
544 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of extra personnel which he plans to employ in order to adhere to international standards of good practice in relation to the establishment of safety observation cells in prisons. [7827/03]
As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy on 5 March 2003, I have given a commitment to replace, as soon as possible, all traditional padded cells with new safety observation cells. I also explained that an implementation group has been set up in the Prison Service to determine the most appropriate design for these cells and other related matters and to draft revised guidelines for the future use of these cells.
When I have had an opportunity to consider the full range of recommendations of the implementation group, I will be in a position to assess the implications, if any, its recommendations would have for staffing levels. I expect that this group will present its report to me in the near future.
