Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on a prison (details supplied). [55370/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The construction of new prison facilities at Thornton Hall is now not possible in the short to medium term due to economic constraints. However, the recently published Irish Prison Service 3-Year Strategic Plan contains a commitment to implement a 40 month capital plan to provide in-cell sanitation in all cells and radically improve prison conditions in the older parts of the prison estate. The provision of a gross budget of €333.8 million for the Prisons Vote includes a capital allocation of €24 million which will allow construction work on the much needed new prison in Cork to commence in 2013, as well as other essential refurbishment and construction works in Mountjoy and Limerick Prisons.

The Prison Service is continuing with a refurbishment and in-cell sanitation project in Mountjoy Prison. The Refurbishment of the C and B wings have been completed resulting in 317 cells in the prison having in-cell sanitation (almost 60% of the total prison) and a significantly improved physical environment. A tender for the refurbishment of the prison's A wing is currently under evaluation and a contract is expected to be placed before the end of this year. The project will take 9 months to complete. The Prison Service is developing its plans for the modernisation of the D wing together with a range of supporting facilities for the prison such as workshops, kitchens laundry etc. It is expected that this final phase in the renewal of Mountjoy prison will go to tender in July 2013 and that the entire programme will be completed in April 2015.

The new facility in Cork will be built on a site immediately adjacent to the existing prison and will house 275 prisoners and have a maximum capacity of 310 prisoners. Planning and design are at an advanced stage and it is expected that, subject to planning permission, the project will go to tender in February 2013 with construction works commencing in August 2013. Construction of the new prison will take approximately 2 years and, allowing for commissioning of systems etc., it is expected that the new prison will be operational by September 2015. In addition, the Irish Prison Service is preparing plans for the demolition of the early 19th century A and B wings of Limerick Prison and their replacement with modern cellular accommodation on a site adjacent to the prison. The new development will include full in-cell sanitation, showers and a range of ancillary facilities. Following the necessary approval, planning and tender processes, it is hoped that construction will commence in August/September 2013 with completion/commissioning in June/July early 2015.