Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

In May of this year negotiations with the preferred bidder for the construction of a prison complex at Thornton Hall were broken off as its final offer, which was significantly higher than the original price tendered, was determined to be unaffordable. The original tender competition, which was initiated by the issue of formal invitations to tender in late 2007, was then abandoned as it did not offer the opportunity to obtain the best value for money for the taxpayer in the light of the changed circumstances.

In June of this year the Government reaffirmed its commitment to developing a new prison campus at Thornton Hall and approved the launching of a new tendering process for the construction of a more affordable and better value prison campus at Thornton. The aim is to provide good quality, regime focused accommodation with appropriate support and rehabilitation facilities to prepare prisoners for reintegration back into society. The new facility will provide accommodation for 1,400 prisoners with operational flexibility to accommodate up to 2,200 prisoners in a range of security settings.

The development will now proceed on a phased basis with phase one comprising essential basic preliminary works required for the development including the construction of the access route and perimeter wall. It is intended that this work will proceed in the short term on the basis of separate contracts. The tender documentation and scope of works are currently being drafted. It is anticipated that work on phase one will commence towards the end of this year or early next year.

While phase one work is in progress the procurement process for the buildings and other facilities that will make up the new prison campus will be examined and finalised in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines for capital projects. The objective is to complete the design and procurement process for the main prison complex while the construction of the phase one work is under way. While the original design has been prepared, work is ongoing on more detailed design plans which are required for the tendering process. The two phase approach means that once a contract is signed for phase two - the main prison development - the fact that the preliminary works envisaged by phase one will have already have been completed will allow for construction to commence immediately on the main prison buildings within a secured perimeter.

The development of the new prison campus at Thornton is a complex project which is governed by Department of Finance and EU procurement guidelines. The guidelines set out a range of actions that must take place prior to inviting tenders for the project. The Irish Prison Service is being assisted in this work by the National Development Finance Agency. It is intended to invite tenders for the construction of the phase 2 - the main prison development - next year. I expect the new prison to be operational within three years of the signing of a contract for phase 2.

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