Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

189. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the construction works on the new refurbishment of Limerick Prison. [17695/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Provision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care to persons in the penal system in Ireland is a priority for me as Minister and for the Irish Prison Service. Delivery of the Limerick Prison redevelopment project is a key element of ongoing work in relation to the prison estate and is reflected in the Prison Service Strategic Plan 2019-2022.

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the redevelopment works currently in progress at Limerick Prison include:

- A new accommodation block for male prisoners and all necessary rehabilitative support facilities to assist prisoners to reintegrate into society on release from custody;

- A new stand-alone accommodation unit for female prisoners, including all necessary support facilities;

- A new gate house and vehicle lock and offices for the Prison Service Escort Corps;

- New visit facilities and exercise yards, astro turf pitch; and

- New offices for the Probation Service.

The total project budget is €71.5 million. I understand that the contract for the construction of these works was awarded in February 2019 and that the project is currently scheduled for completion in the last quarter of 2021.

I am informed that, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the project was on time and on budget. However, the Deputy will appreciate that temporary suspension of construction work was necessary earlier this year in light of the pandemic and that it is possible that public health guidelines on safe working may have an impact on work at the site in future. As a result, the precise date for completion of the project is currently the subject of ongoing discussions with the contractor.

I am confident that when the project is completed, it will represent another important milestone in the modernisation of the prison estate, following on from the construction of the new prison facilities in Cork.