Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

640. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been secured for the provision of in-cell sanitation at block E Portlaoise Prison; the estimated cost of the project; when the works will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24855/20]

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

The provision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care to those individuals in the penal system in Ireland is a priority area for my Department and the Irish Prison Service.

The Irish Prison Service commits in its capital strategy plan 2016-2021 to a prison estate that provides safe, secure and humane custody, that upholds the dignity of all users, and that reflects and supports a modern and progressive penal policy.It identifies as a priority, the full elimination of the practice referred to as ‘slopping out’, through provision of in-cell sanitation throughout the prison estate.

Very significant progress has already been made in that regard, to the extent that the practice has now been virtually eliminated in Irish prisons.

The Deputy will wish to be aware that I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that a tender to undertake exploratory structural survey work at E Block Portlaoise, a building which dates back to the 1800s, is anticipated to be issued shortly.

The outcome of these exploratory works will inform the scope of work and cost estimate. Pending the completion of these works and the feasibility study it is not possible to give an estimate of the cost involved at this time.

The other accommodation blocks at Portlaoise Prison have in-cell sanitation.

I am advised by the Prison Service that the number of prisoners without access to in-cell sanitation has decreased from 465 in January 2014 to a total of 44 prisoners slopping out - 18 in Limerick and 26 in Portlaoise. This represents approximately 1% of the prison population.

I am further advised by the Irish Prison Service that it is expected that an invitation to tender for the provision of in-cell sanitation will be issued to the market in the first quarter of 2021. The project will be funded from the Prison Service capital budget.

When completed, this work and the redevelopment of Limerick Prison, which is currently in progress, will see the full elimination of slopping in the prison estate.