29th January 2004
58. Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans in respect of the threatened closure of Spike Island Prison; if a closure is proposed, the cost savings which will be achieved by such a closure in view of the beneficial and rehabilitative work carried out by both prison staff and VEC staff at the said institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30711/03]\ \ \ 75. Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in light of the ongoing negotiations between the Irish Prison Service and the Prison Officers' Association and the proposed temporary closure of Fort Mitchel Prison, he is still committed to his earlier statement of 11 November 2003, to reopen Fort Mitchel Prison in the event of the above negotiations being successfully resolved; and if he will give a commitment that the reopening of Fort Mitchel Prison will take immediate effect upon the resolution of the current dispute. [1567/04]
28th January 2004
306. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a commitment that the redeveloped Mountjoy will not be a privately run institution; and if he will also make a commitment that the redeveloped Mountjoy will not be developed or run as a public private partnership institution. [2441/04]\ \ 309. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the likely effect on the present Dóchas Centre and Training Centre at Mountjoy under his redevelopment plans. [2444/04]
28th January 2004
307. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has had communications with any religious orders or religious organisations with regard to the management of Shelton Abbey, Loughan House, or any other aspects of the prison service; if so, the names of the orders or organisations; if the contact was initiated by his Department; the date of contact; the services which were or are under discussion; and the current status of any such discussions. [2442/04]\ \ 312. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has had communications with voluntary or charitable organisations with regard to the management of Shelton Abbey, Loughan House, or any other aspects of the prison service; if so, the names of the organisations; if the contact was initiated by his Department; the dates of contact; the services which were or are under discussion; and the current status of such discussions. [2447/04]
28th January 2004
320. Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prison to court escorts and court to prison escort journeys that were made by remand prisoners for 2003. [2536/04]
28th January 2004
321. Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the type of escort that attaches to convicted persons on their journey to and from prison; and the number of such persons who accompany such a prisoner. [2537/04]
28th January 2004
310. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a commitment that the planned new Cork facility will not be a privately run institution; and if he will also make a commitment that the planned new Cork facility will not be developed or run as a public private partnership institution. [2445/04]
28th January 2004
311. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has had communications with or retained any outside consultant or organisation to advise the Government with regard to privatising or contracting out aspects or services of the criminal justice and prison system of the Prison Service; if so, the names of the consultants/organisations; the dates of contact; if the contact was initiated by his Department; the services which were or are under discussion; and the current status of any such discussions. [2446/04]\ \ 313. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has had communications with a company (details supplied) with regard to privatising or contracting out aspects or services of the criminal justice and/or prison system of the Prison Service; if so, the dates of contact; if the contact was initiated by his Department; the services which were or are under discussion; and the current status of such discussions. [2448/04]
27th January 2004
840. Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his future plans for Loughan House, Blacklion, County Cavan; his views on whether this facility is an integral part of the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1108/04]
27th January 2004
853. Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans regarding the Shelton Abbey facility and whether he has visited the centre to hear at first hand the views of staff on their future and the effectiveness of the facility. [1258/04]\ \ 856. Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans regarding handing over the Shelton Abbey facility to another agency; and what, if any, savings are envisaged by his Department if that were done. [1261/04]
27th January 2004
854. Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the overall situation in the prison service regarding over-staffing; and if the facility at Shelton Abbey has been deemed by either his Department or the prison service to be over-staffed regarding the ratio of staff to prisoners kept there. [1259/04]
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.