Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position with regard to plans to construct a new prison at Thornton, County Dublin; if the Irish Prison Service has taken possession of the site; the total estimated cost of the project; when construction will begin; if he will report on the circumstances leading up to the decision to select this site; when the project will be completed; the process of consultation there has been with local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21421/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I can inform the Deputy that a contract has been signed for the purchase of the site and that plans are being formulated at present regarding the prison development. These will be made available in conjunction with the statutory planning process. In accordance with the Department of Finance regulations, the Prison Service is currently preparing a business case regarding the development for submission to the Government. It is intended that construction of the prison development will commence in late 2006. The cost of this project will be determined following a procurement process in line with EU directives and public procurement guidelines. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to give an indication in relation to costs at this stage as this would be commercially sensitive information which may affect the tendering process. The site selection process was undertaken by a committee which included the Irish Prison Service, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Office of Public Works and a commercial property expert. The minutes of the committee's deliberations have been published. One meeting has been held between officials of the Irish Prison Service and a group of representatives from the local primary school. There will be a process of consultation with the local community as soon as outline plans for the new development are drawn up.