Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the proposed development at Thornton Hall has passed the preliminary PPP appraisal stage and been approved by the NDFA as suitable for PPP procurement. [35924/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government has approved in principle the development of a new prison complex on the Thornton site on a value for money PPP basis. The Prison Service is currently preparing a detailed assessment of the project in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines for the provision of capital projects through public private partnerships which will result in a detailed business case being provided. The National Development Finance Agency is advising the Prison Service in these matters.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent and cost of associated infrastructure works required to facilitate the construction of a prison at Thornton Hall, specifically in relation to road widening, provision of mains sewage, water, electricity, broadband (details supplied) and gas supply. [35925/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Preliminary estimates of the cost of providing various services to the Thornton Hall site were prepared as part of the site evaluation process which was carried out by engineering consultants prior to the decision to purchase the site. The report estimated the cost of providing various services, such as mains water, foul sewer, and power including gas and electricity to the site at approximately €8.5 million.

On the question of road access, the existing road serving the site has been assessed as adequate by the engineers engaged to carry out the site evaluation. However, they recommended some improvements to and upgrading of the road which is currently being examined by a team of technical consultants appointed by the Prison Service. Consultation will take place with the appropriate authorities in due course.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Part 8 planning will be required to compulsory purchase land from residents in the area around the proposed prison site and on all approach roads to the site to facilitate road widening and provision of services; if so, the number of residents that will be affected and the amount same will cost. [35926/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised by the director general of the Prison Service that the existing access road serving Thornton Hall has been assessed as adequate by the consulting engineers who evaluated the site when it was offered to the Prison Service. The consultants, however, recommended some improvements and upgradings to the road which will be pursued following consultations with the appropriate authorities. It is too early at this stage to indicate the likely outcome of the process as the various engineering surveys on this matter are not yet complete.

I have no plans at this time to acquire any additional land in the area bordering the site acquired. I do not have a statutory power for the compulsory purchase of land for the purposes referred to by the Deputy.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is envisaged that other services will be provided at Thornton Hall or will the excess land be sold; the reason it was necessary to purchase such a large site and his plans to develop the site further. [35927/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The size of the site purchased will provide for and enable the development to be carried out in a manner which is consistent with best practice. It will also facilitate the provision of an integrated prison complex with ample recreational and therapeutic facilities. In addition, in line with a recent Government decision a site will be made available for the replacement of the Central Mental Hospital but this is ultimately a matter for the Minister for Health and Children. There are no plans to dispose of any portion of the site or to provide for facilities other than those which have already been indicated.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the persons on whose orders and instructions Thornton Hall has been boarded up; the reason various outbuildings on the grounds of the house have been destroyed and the position regarding the stone; his plans with regard to cutting down trees on the site; if he proposes to effectively demolish Thornton Hall and its outbuildings and the trees surrounding same; the cost to date in 2005 of these works and if they were the subject of public tender process. [35929/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Following the transfer of the property to the Prison Service a specialist contractor was employed to secure the residence and site against vandalism and unauthorised access. This instruction was issued by the Prison Service. The works involved included securing the windows of the residence in a non-destructive manner which preserved intact all of the features of the property, as well as the installation of CCTV and alarm systems, etc. No buildings were demolished or removed following the transfer of ownership of the property. Three trees were removed for safety and security reasons and did not require a tree felling licence. There are no plans in hand at present for the demolition of any buildings or any further tree felling and any such works will only be undertaken in compliance with the relevant planning and or other statutory provisions. The cost of works carried out to date amounts to approximately €23,000. Some of the works involving the CCTV were procured by means of an existing public tender in place with the Prison Service. The cost of the work to the residence and other areas was negotiated with a specialist contractor by consultant quantity surveyors and certified on completion by consultant engineers retained by the Prison Service.