Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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246. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the development of Limerick Prison, A and B wings; the final specifications regarding the number and size of cells; the expected date for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17259/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a business case for the modernisation of facilities in Limerick Prison has recently been approved in principle by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform – meaning that the proposed development can now proceed to detailed design & tender stage. Consequently, the Irish Prison Service is now preparing the statutory planning procedure under Part IX of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 - 2013 and is simultaneously preparing tender documentation for the works.

The development as currently envisaged includes the replacement of the out-dated A and B wings by the construction of a new block of 150 cells as well as the provision of high quality accommodation for female prisoners in a stand-alone unit with capacity for approximately 50 individual cells and 8 custodial apartments. The cells will be approximately 12 square meters each which is in excess of the Inspector of Prisons recommendations for double occupancy.

Subject to the completion of the tender process and final sanction being obtained it is expected that the project will commence in mid-2016 with a completion date of late 2018. However, that timescale is dependent on further approval with respect to the signing of a contract and to sufficient resources being available to the Irish Prison Service.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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247. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the development of an aged prisoner facility in Shelton Abbey Prison, County Wicklow; the expected date for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17260/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that their Strategic Plan 2012-2015 includes a commitment that the Irish Prison Service will, in conjunction with other key stakeholders, devise specific strategies for older prisoners. The main reason for this is because there has been a significant increase in the number of older prisoners in the prison system. Information collated from the end of month snapshot taken by the Irish Prison Service on Saturday 31st January 2015, indicated there were 223 prisoners in custody aged 55 and over, 26 of whom were on remand.

Work on the development and implementation of this strategy is underway and will be implemented over the lifetime of the Strategic Plan. In line with this commitment the Irish Prison Service is currently finalising a policy document for older prisoners. The Policy will seek to ensure that older adults in prison are identified as specific groups of individuals who have particular needs within the prison population. Central to the development of tailored services for older prisoners, is the development of a specific facility to better cater for the needs of older persons. The Irish Prison Service is considering a number of options, and I understand that the publication of the Older Persons Policy and an announcement of proposals to develop a dedicated facility for older prisoners will be made later in the year.