Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 765: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the proposed prison to be built at Kilworth, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31536/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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This project is to replace Cork Prison with a modern prison complex at Kilworth, County Cork. Agreement has been reached with the Department of Defence to acquire about 160 acres at Kilworth, County Cork for a new prison development. Government approval for the transfer of the land has also been obtained.

The Prison Service commissioned a preliminary site suitability report. This involved a range of surveys such as archaeology, flora and fauna, road/infrastructure, topography etc. This preliminary site suitability report has confirmed that there are no significant constraints to the development of this site. While the project has not advanced to detailed design stage, the Irish Prison Service estimate that the capacity of the new prison will be in the region of 450 spaces, 400 male and 50 female. These figures will be reviewed as the project progresses to detailed design stage and in light of prisoner population surveys.

In accordance with Department of Finance Capital Appraisal Guidelines a preliminary outline case has been completed and approved by the Prisons Authority Interim Board. The next step in the appraisal process is the preparation of a detailed business case for the project which will examine the various procurement options including the Public Private Partnership option. The advice of the NDFA will be sought in relation to these issues in due course.