Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans in respect of capital projects in the prison sector in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14401/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The 2009 prisons capital programme includes a number of important projects. Thornton Hall

A preferred bidder for the design, construction, finance and maintenance of the new prison development at Thornton Hall, County Dublin has been selected. While negotiations on the contract are at an advanced stage they have not yet been completed to the point that the Project Agreement can be signed. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that negotiations with the preferred bidder are currently at an advanced stage. These negotiations are focussed on progressing financial, technical and legal aspects of the project. Construction of the new prison will commence immediately after contract award and should take no more than 3 years to complete. New Blocks at Castlerea, Portlaoise and Wheatfield

Other major projects in hand at present include the commissioning and opening of new cell blocks at Portlaoise and at Wheatfield and a new remand wing at Castlerea Prison. These projects will provide over 400 additional spaces. The developments at Portlaoise and Castlerea are on schedule and it is expected that both blocks will be ready for occupation shortly.

The new cell block at Wheatfield, also on schedule, will be ready later in the year.

In addition to these projects, a new Recreation Building is due for completion shortly at Castlerea along with revisions to the Exercise Yards and some other facilities. Mobile Phone Inhibition

Phases 1 and 2 of this project have been successfully completed and evaluated in the Midlands Prison.

The results of the project so far have convinced the Irish Prison Service of the merit of extending the inhibition system to the new "C" Block in Portlaoise Prison and the nearby Segregation Unit, and installation work is currently ongoing.

Three other companies, each relying on technology designed by themselves (and different in its modus operandum from each others), are also being given an opportunity to install trial systems of mobile phone inhibition in some of our prisons.

When evaluation of the trial systems is complete, it is intended to seek competitive tenders on a prison by prison basis from all companies whose product meets our requirements for installation of inhibitors. The roll-out of this project will continue throughout 2009. Other Projects

A number of smaller but nevertheless significant projects in the areas of ICT, Fire Safety, CCTV, Exercise Yard netting and other Security Initiatives are planned for 2009.

A 2009 - 2012 rolling Capital Programme for the Prison Estate is currently being finalised. This programme will outline the key areas of capital expenditure over the next four years including the provision of additional prison spaces, enhanced security, elimination of obsolete and unsuitable accommodation and continued improvements to the fabric of the Prisons Estate.