Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

The Newlands Cross works. These are two separate schemes but for scale purposes they were bundled together. I should not say so at this stage because it is somewhat premature but having had discussions I am reasonably optimistic about getting those ones over the line. If we do we might then look at other projects that can be approached from a similar perspective.

Thornton Hall is not going ahead within the parameters of this programme. However, I am conscious of the very fair points Senator Cummins made. We have allocated €24 million to upgrading existing prison facilities and to adding to those prisons. Senator Barrett also made a very fair point. We should explore other options. We imprison certain people now, in very recent times, whom we used not to imprison, for example, for non-payment of fines and so on. We need to be more discerning in the way we apply this policy and I know my ministerial colleague in justice, Deputy Shatter, will be looking at this.

As to the allied point on St. Patrick's Institution, the Minister for Children, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, has had long discussions with me on that issue and I am very confident we will be able to address it during the coming year.