Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

It has eight separate blocks within the campus using shared services. Economies of scale indicate that it is better to do that than have separate prisons all over the place. The maximum numbers in a block will be fewer than 200. There will be about 48 in any one wing and there would be approximately 24 on a landing.

The design, as I said at the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality Defence and Women's Rights, has been driven by contributions from governors, prison staff, teachers, health care staff, work training staff, chaplains, the probation service and users right across the Prison Service. I assure Deputies that the design will conform with best international practice.

The cost-benefit analysis was requested. At the committee, I referred to the situation where under the Department of Finance guidelines, a detailed business case and a budget — the public sector benchmark, as it is called — were prepared. The NDFA will advise and has advised the Department in respect of value for money matters. This project can only proceed on the confirmation from the NDFA that it is value for money. These are the Department of Finance procedures that will be followed.

In respect of local residents' concerns, I asked departmental officials to meet a number of people who were referred to at the committee. I also gave a commitment in respect of the liaison committee which will be set up between members of the Prison Service, Fingal County Council, the local residents' association and people directly affected.

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