Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the option to purchase lands at Newlands Cross, County Dublin; the size and nature of the site; the amount of money lost by the State on the expiry of that option; the amount of money which the acquisition of the lands would have cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3529/05]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the option to purchase a site at Newlands Cross, County Dublin was not taken up or was abandoned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4029/05]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the nature and extent of submissions or objections which he received regarding plans to locate a detention centre at Newlands Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4030/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 422, 449 and 450 together.

An option to purchase the site referred to by the Deputy at Newlands Cross was purchased in October 2002. The site was selected as a possible location for a new detention centre for juveniles aged 16 to 17 years in accordance with the requirements of the Children Act 2001, and for the location of a prison service headquarters building. The site comprised of 32.1 acres of land. An option to acquire the site was negotiated with the owners and was completed in October 2002 at a cost of €250,000. The option would have enabled the completion of the purchase of the site within one year for a further €15,750,000. This would have worked out at approximately €500,000 per acre.

In addition to the cost of the option at €250,000 approximately, €50,000 was expended on fees and surveys in connection with the site. Having considered a report by the Commissioner of Public Works and after further consideration by the Irish Prison Service it was decided not to proceed with a development on that site and no contract was entered into in respect of the site. The Government also decided to decentralise the prison service headquarters to Longford and that project is now proceeding. Representations and observations were made by residents, local elected representatives and South Dublin County Council.