Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take regarding overcrowding in the prisons here in view of the fact that Thornton Hall is two years behind schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40564/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The record clearly shows steadily increased levels of resources being provided to each branch of the criminal justice system since 1997. We have increased Garda resources to an all time high, provided more judges than ever before in the history of the State and enacted a significant body of criminal legislation to give the Garda the necessary powers to bring serious criminals to justice, frequently in the face of trenchant criticism from the benches opposite. In tandem with these developments significant resources have been provided to increase prison accommodation.

Not surprisingly the net effect of providing the Garda with the necessary legislative and human resources allied with determined leadership within the organisation, has resulted in increased levels of committals to prison. This is particularly apparent over the past 12 months, where there has been a dramatic increases in the number of sentenced prisoners, those being committed on remand and a trend towards longer sentences. For example, the numbers of persons in custody has increased by 10% and the total number of persons serving sentences has increased by 14%.

Acknowledging that the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the courts, the net effect of more stringent legislation is that some prisoners are serving longer prison terms. Figures show that over the past 12 years the numbers in custody have increased by 65% and the numbers on temporary release have decreased by 34%.

To meet current and future anticipated demand for prison spaces I am committed to continuing with the prison building programme. The record of this Government on putting resources into our prison system speaks for itself. Since 1997 in excess of 1,300 prison spaces have come on stream in the prison system. These include new prisons in Castlerea, the Midlands, Cloverhill, the Dóchas Centre and a refurbished wing in Limerick Prison. Current developments will provide an extra 400 prison spaces by summer 2009 by means of a new block in Portlaoise Prison, which will accommodate approximately 150 prisoners in the coming months; a new remand block in Castlerea Prison, which will accommodate approximately 100 prisoners and which is due to be completed in early 2009; and a new block in Wheatfield Prison, which will accommodate 150 prisoners and which is due to be completed in the summer of 2009.

Most recently to enhance the rehabilitative focus of the prison system, over 30 extra spaces have been made available at the open centre at Shelton Abbey and a further 40 spaces have been made available at the open centre at Loughan House. It is important to bear in mind when we are talking about prison numbers that our prisons have contingency plans in place whereby they can accommodate numbers above their ideal working capacity.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

These new developments will provide us with a significant level of new and refurbished accommodation until the opening of Thornton Hall. In that regard, and following an EU wide tender competition for a public private partnership to design, build, finance and maintain the Thornton facility, Léargas, a consortium which includes Michael McNamara & Co Limited, Barclays and GSL, was selected as the preferred bidder. It had been hoped to sign a contract before the end of this year. However, while negotiations with the preferred bidder are at advanced stage they have not yet been completed and it is now clear that it will not be possible to have a contract signed this year. The construction of the new prison is expected to take three years from the date the contract is awarded.

The overall Irish Prison Service capital programme will also ensure the elimination of the unacceptable practice of slopping out and will effectively complete the modernisation of the prison estate to meet best international standards in terms of custody, care and rehabilitative opportunities.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I put it to the Minister that there is currently a crisis in our prison system. As we speak, hundreds of criminals, many of whom have been sentenced to lengthy periods in prison, are now walking the streets. Gardaí state that offenders are being released early having served less than half of their sentences. This ties in to our earlier debate on gangland crime, drugs, mayhem and destruction on our streets.

The prison system simply cannot cope. Does the Minister accept that there are people serving prison sentences who should not be in prison at all and, on the other hand, there are people walking the streets giving the two fingers to the law having been convicted through the courts and given custodial sentences? Does he accept that the revolving door system has recommenced under his watch?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I do not accept that. When Deputy Flanagan's party was in Government, there was a 20% revolving door system. The latest figures available to me on this situation is well below that. It is in single figures, to the best of my knowledge.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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That was a long time ago. It is not a fair comparison.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As I stated, we are bringing on 400 extra places within the next six to eight months, and that must be acknowledged. If my memory serves me correctly, during the time Deputy Flanagan's party was in Government it did not provide one extra prison place.

We will provide extra prison spaces in Thornton Hall as well. When that comes on stream it will cure many of the difficulties in the prison sector.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will it go ahead?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It should. I hope it will.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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On Thornton Hall, having expended almost €40 million in taxpayers' money on what is still a green-field site, what exactly is the position on the provision of prison spaces in north County Dublin or will the Minister suspend the plan indefinitely?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My understanding is that the negotiations are still ongoing with the preferred bidder. They are at an advanced stage and, hopefully, they will come to conclusion sooner rather than later.

It must be accepted that in the current financial situation worldwide and in this country there are difficulties in that respect. Whatever the decision on the contract, which will be made by the NTMA, the benchmark is that it must be, first, within the budget set down for it and, second, below the public sector benchmark. The issue is being overseen by the NTMA and the Department of Finance.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Are there difficulties with the preferred bidder?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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This is a priority question.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I assure this House that not a single cent or euro will be paid by the taxpayer on this project until it is handed to the preferred bidder, whoever it is, and until the project is finished.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Is the land paid for?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is an excellent project for the State. Any money expended to date has been spent on the purchasing of the land, the design and the deployment of archaeologists to ensure that the site is correct, etc. The bidders have expended significant resources in their bids.

While I accept that we are building 400 extra prison spaces in the various prisons, the ultimate solution for the ongoing problem, given that the population has increased dramatically, is that we will be able to accommodate them in Thornton Hall.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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That is a negative reply.