Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

A response in regard to a later question deals with the issue of Thornton Hall. I have tried to deal with the issue of prison committals in the long, medium and short term, the long term response being Thornton Hall. A response to a later question in regard to Thornton Hall clearly indicates that the Government is moving on Thornton Hall. It is expected that, all things being equal, the first prison cells in Thornton Hall will be available in 2014. The access road is almost complete and a contract in regard to work on provision of the on-site facilities will shortly be put out to tender. Further information on this matter is provided in the response to a later question. Also, a contract for the perimeter wall will be put out to tender some time in the new year. We will then commence construction of the first of three phases, which will provide 400 cells which, as the cells are big, will provide accommodation for 700 people.

On the medium term response, significant progress has been made in regard to the extension of the Midlands Prison, which will provide 300 extra cells. It is hoped that construction will commence later this year on a new accommodation block at the Portlaoise Prison complex, which will provide 300 spaces. I recently opened a new wing at Wheatfield Prison, which is a credit to all concerned. It is the most modern prison facility in Europe. As far as I can recall, the wing provides more than 100 new spaces. The conversion of an administrative building on the Dóchas site into new prison accommodation will provide 70 extra spaces and renovation of an unused landing at Limerick female prison has provided an extra 14 cells with in-cell sanitation.

In the short term, we have changed the legislation to try to prevent people being sent to prison for non-payment of civil debt and fines under the Fines Act.

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