Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the construction of the education unit at St. Patrick's Institution was completed; the projected and actual cost; the number of people and their capacity, employed in the running of the facility; the activities that have taken place there to date; when they commenced; the number of young offenders who have used same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11111/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The construction of the education unit at St. Patrick's Institution was completed in April 2003. The Project was budgeted at €8m including VAT. The final account amounted to €7.5m including VAT.

The facility consisted of a dedicated educational unit, a recreational sports hall, counselling rooms as well as other ancillary services, thereby creating a self-contained facility. However, the negotiations on the staffing and operation of the new Education Unit were deferred pending the advancement and roll-out of the wider change agenda comprehended by the Agreed Proposal for Organisational Change in the Prison Service as a whole. Following the successful implementation of this comprehensive and fundamental change package for the Prison Service in early 2006, discussions resumed on the staffing and operational requirements of the new Unit.

I have asked Prison Service management to give priority attention to bringing these talks to a conclusion. It is intended in any event to proceed with the opening of the school element of the facility on a phased basis in the week commencing Monday 2nd April, 2007.