Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

——when we are building a brand new facility with plenty of opportunity for implementing segregated male and female prison locations within that site. It makes absolutely no sense from a financial or operational viewpoint. The strong advice is that, despite the fact that the Dóchas centre in itself has worked well, because of the current over-capacity there it is imperative to move to Thornton as quickly as possible in order to provide the proper facilities for female prisoners.

The OPW has been asked to implement the design for a Garda station. It is envisaged that the Garda station will be built possibly even before the final handing over of the prison.

As regards the OPW being excluded, the Irish Prison Service and my Department have engaged eminent consultants with international expertise in building prisons, which is the template under which this is being done. There is no necessity for the OPW to be involved in that, particularly in the context of it being a PPP.

I gave a commitment to Deputy O'Brien in committee that I would be willing to establish a liaison committee between the residents directly affected, prison service officials and Fingal County Council concerning the implementation of some issues, including problems such as flooding, which people have referred to. Proper liaison must be assured so that residents can gain access to the enhanced services that will be available due to the building of this prison.

There is a strong emphasis on drug rehabilitation within the prison service. The drug strategy that was launched back in May 2006 will be extended, including the recruitment of nurses and psychologists. There are 24 dedicated addiction counsellors as well as other prison staff, which will be enhanced at the Thornton location.

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