Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his estimate of the capital requirement of his Department and its agencies over the next ten years; the projects in excess of €20 million that may be procured during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12541/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a broad description of each capital project considered by his Department over the past five years; when each project was first considered; when each project will be procured; when each will be completed; if each project will be part-financed by user charges; the number of public servants currently employed in the delivery of each project; the names of the consultants and advisers used to date in respect of each project; the titles of the consultancy reports carried out or in progress; the expenditure to date on each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12542/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of public servants in his Department who are employed full-time on the assessment, procurement, project management and delivery of infrastructure projects covered by the public capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12870/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government considered redeploying public servants to assist with the procurement and project management of infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12882/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the fact that the public capital programme is equivalent to 7.5% of GNP or some 21% of total Government spending, he is satisfied that enough public servants in his Department are working in a full-time capacity on infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12894/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 189, 190 and 209 to 211, inclusive, together.

In the 2004 budget, the Minister for Finance announced a five year multi-annual framework for capital expenditure commencing in the years 2004-08. This is a rolling capital investment framework and current planning of capital expenditure across the group of Votes for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform focuses therefore on 2005-09 rather than on a ten year period.

A funding envelope of €1.1 billion has been approved for the period to 2009, incorporating €380 million by way of public private partnerships. Key projects which will be made possible thanks to this funding include a new state-of-the-art criminal courts complex at Infirmary Road, new prisoner accommodation at Portlaoise Prison together with additional facilities at Limerick Prison, expansion of the capital grant element of the equal opportunities child care programme as well as the introduction of the new nationwide Garda digital radio system.

There are many other capital projects under way or in planning, including the development of the new prison complex at Thornton Hall, but in light of the very broad range of services in the justice area, it has not been possible in the time available to fully compile the detailed information requested. The information requested is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy shortly.