Parliamentary Question: Prison Accommodation

12th March 2003

154. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has made a decision regarding plans for the provision of a new juvenile detention centre at Clondalkin, County Dublin; the type of prisoner it is proposed to hold at the centre; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by local communities and public representatives at the proposal, in view of the fact that there are already two prisons in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7355/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The Irish Prison Service placed public advertisements in October 2001 seeking suitable sites for the location of a juvenile detention facility for young offenders aged 16 to 17 years, as part of the process of implementing the Children Act 2001. On foot of these advertisements, submissions were received by the Prison Service. In addition, other sites in state ownership, including all existing prison properties, were assessed with detailed feasibility studies completed by the Office of Public Works.

The Office of Public Works recommended that the site referred to by the Deputy was the most suitable location of those examined and, on that basis, a planning notice under Part 9 of the Local Government Planning and Development Act 2000 was served in December 2002. This involved placing public advertisements in newspapers as well as displaying notices on the actual site regarding the proposed development.

I will shortly make a conclusive decision on the location of the proposed development. I have asked the Prison Service and the Office of Public Works to review possible alternatives in the light of the opposition of the local authority, local residents group and public representatives to this project in Clondalkin. The Office of Public Works is now preparing a report for my consideration on this matter which I expect to have within the next three weeks. That report will take on board all comments and observations received in connection with this project. I will announce the outcome of this process shortly.