Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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428. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent to date in relation to major refurbishment works being carried out at Limerick Prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2731/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a total of €34.8 million (VAT inclusive) has been spent to date in respect of the project at Limerick Prison. The total estimated cost of the project is €71.5 million and it is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to the impact of the pandemic and restrictions imposed on construction activity under the National Living with Covid-19 Framework.

As the Deputy may be aware, the project scope includes the construction of a new accommodation block for male prisoners, a new prison for female prisoners, facilities to support rehabilitation programmes, a new kitchen, vehicle lock, visits/reception area, exercise yards and the construction of new offices for the Probation Service.

The delivery of this important project will mark a key landmark for the Irish Prison Service in its programme of work to modernise the prison estate and following on from the construction of the new prison at Cork and the in-cell sanitation project at Mountjoy Prison.