Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2004
460 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of the refurbishment of Shelton Abbey, County Wicklow; the length of time during which the refurbishment was undertaken in the 2001 to 2002 period; the impact this had on occupancy levels during that period; the plans for the future of Shelton Abbey open prison and the relocation of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4738/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost of refurbishment of Shelton Abbey amounted to €5,473,015. This amount includes professional fees. A substantial proportion of these costs arose from the fact that this is a heritage property whose external fabric had deteriorated badly over the years. Refurbishment work commenced on 13 November 2000 and was completed in mid-2002. The impact of the refurbishment works necessitated a reduction in the occupancy level from 60 to 30 spaces during construction.
On 11 November 2003, the Government decided to implement, from 1 January 2004, a number of measures in the event of failure to reach agreement with the Prison Officers' Association in ongoing talks on the proposed change agenda aimed at eliminating overtime payments and reducing prison costs. These measures include the transformation of the open centres at Loughan House and Shelton Abbey into post-release centres for the re-integration into society of prisoners on conditional temporary release. The precise arrangements for the running of such facilities are being finalised in my Department.
As indicated in my reply to Questions Nos. 583 and 586 on 27 January, 2004, I want the Prison Officers' Association to agree to a reasonable and sustainable cost structure for the continued operation by the Irish Prison Service of our prisons and the open centres. Discussions are ongoing at the Labour Relations Commission with the POA and I very much hope that a mutually acceptable way forward can be found at that forum.
However, if a consensus is not achieved, I will have no option but to proceed with the closure of Shelton Abbey as a place of detention and for its conversion into a post-release centre under a different management structure. The Irish Prison Service will arrange for the transfer of prison officers from Shelton Abbey to other prison institutions in this event. There has already been direct consultation by the human resources directorate in the Irish Prison Service headquarters with the individual staff at Shelton Abbey affected by the closure plans.
