Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on his recent visit to Mountjoy Prison, Dublin; the timeframe for the introduction of sanitary facilities for all prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9594/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to say that one of the first things I did on becoming Minister was to visit the Mountjoy Prison campus. I conducted a full tour of Mountjoy Prison including the landings, workshops, school and medical facilities. I also visited the Dóchas Centre and St. Patrick's Institution.

During my visit, I met with prison management and staff. I was impressed by the commitment and level of professionalism shown by staff working in the challenging environment of a prison. Again, I would like to compliment them and especially the new Governor, Mr Ned Whelan, for the work done in recent times in improving conditions in the prison. It is notable that significant improvements can be achieved even in an old prison such as Mountjoy with committed staff under good, committed and determined management.

For my part, I am committed to addressing the issue of in-cell sanitation in line with the Government Programme for National Recovery. A refurbishment project is currently under way in the basement of the C-wing at Mountjoy Prison which will result in an additional 36 cells with in-cell sanitation being installed by mid 2011. Work has also commenced on a project to provide in-cell sanitation in the remaining 74 cells on the same wing. This project is expected to be completed by the end of the summer 2011. Depending on the findings of a post-project appraisal, the Irish Prison Service will consider installing in-cell sanitation facilities in the remaining cells of the prison.