Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the tender competition for the supply and delivery of three tractors to the Irish Prison Service recently; his views that this is the most appropriate spending of public moneys in this era of reduced public funding, and was a value for money assessment made prior to tender notice; the other options that were looked at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35549/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service are currently conducting a tender competition for the purchase of three tractors. It also plans to purchase a fourth tractor from an existing National Procurement Service contract for the supply of tractors. The tractors are being purchased to replace existing tractors which require constant repair and maintenance due to their age.

The Irish Prison Service intends to use the tractors at its two open centres, Shelton Abbey and Loughan House. There are already significant agricultural, horticultural and other environmental activities in the two open centres, which between them have in the region of 125 acres of land surrounding the accommodation units. Both centres have had substantial increases in prisoner populations in recent years and it is intended to extend the range of outdoor activities and increase the daily employment and vocational training opportunities for the prisoners. I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the proposal to purchase the tractors in question has been carefully evaluated to ensure that the proposed expenditure is justified on both financial and operational grounds.