Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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632. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on representations that have been made to his Department and-or the Irish Prison Service by representatives from the Defence Forces regarding the substandard conditions of work they have to endure at Portlaoise Prison; the steps that are being taken to address these grievances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2612/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces continue to provide a 365 day armed guard at Portlaoise Prison by Government direction using accommodation which is provided and maintained by the Irish Prison Service. Officials from my Department have on a number of occasions recently met with officials from the Irish Prison Service regarding the military accommodation in Portlaoise. The Irish Prison Service have today confirmed that they will be going to tender shortly for a major refurbishment of the military compound. Discussions are ongoing regarding the logistics around accommodating the military personnel while the refurbishment is taking place and responsibilities regarding the ongoing maintenance of the facility.