Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners currently in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin; the number for whom the prison was built; if he will introduce sanitation into the prison in view of the fact that Thornton Hall is on hold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21736/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I do not accept the contention that Thornton Hall has been put "on hold". Both the Taoiseach and I have set out in the clearest possible terms the Government's continued commitment to replacing the Mountjoy Prison complex with modern prison accommodation at Thornton. The clear case has been made for this course of action and this Government will deliver on that commitment in a manner that protects the taxpayers' interest. As already indicated to this House it is my intention to bring comprehensive new proposals to the Government in a matter of weeks setting out how we can proceed with building a new, modern, regime orientated and cost effective prison complex at Thornton. Following consideration of these proposals by Government I will make a public announcement in relation to this matter.

I acknowledge that there is a level of overcrowding in the prison system. Close to 1,400 new prison spaces have already been brought into use since 1997 and a further 400 new spaces which are built will shortly come into use. Thornton Hall was always a longer term project and other capital projects have been progressing, for example, the projects that have given us the 400 spaces coming on stream. I wish to inform the Deputy that as of 22 May, 2009 there were 540 permanent beds in Mountjoy male prison. On the same day there were 678 in custody. Overall on that same day there were 949 permanent beds available in the entire Mountjoy Prison Complex with 1,126 prisoners in custody. I give you this figure to illustrate the need to replace Mountjoy with a facility at Thornton that can meet this capacity requirement.

In-cell sanitation is already in place in sections of the "B" Wing and throughout the Health Care Unit of Mountjoy Prison as well as all of St Patrick's Institution and the Female Prison (Dóchas).

The question of a major refurbishment of the complex to include in-cell sanitation in all cells has been examined on a number of occasions but found not to be feasible due to the potential exorbitant costs of such a project involving buildings which are already well over 150 years old. I believe that whilst there will be some delay in our plans we can bring a viable prison development to fruition at Thornton and money spent on achieving that is a better use of resources.