29th January 2003
846. Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the land areas examined as potential locations for a juvenile place of detention, headquarters building and storage building for the Irish Prisons Service prior to the current plans to locate at Newlands Villa, Clondalkin. [1642/03]
847. Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the sites offered from landowners in response to an advertisement for a juvenile place of detention, headquarters building and storage building for the Prisons Service which his Department is now seeking to be built at Newlands Villa, Clondalkin. [1643/03]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I propose to take Questions Nos. 846 and 847 together.
The Prisons Service placed public advertisements in October 2001 seeking suitable sites for the location of a juvenile detention facility for the purposes of the Children Act 2001. On foot of these advertisements, submissions regarding 25 properties were received by my Department. The information involved was conveyed in confidence in many cases. In addition to the above properties, another 15 or so sites in state ownership, including all existing prison properties, were considered.
Overall, therefore, a total of around 40 locations within the greater Dublin area were assessed by officials from the Prisons Service in conjunction with the OPW. No final decision has been taken on the location and development of the proposed facility. All possible options remain under consideration in the broader context of the implementation of the Children Act 2001, and all relevant factors will be fully taken into consideration in identifying the best way forward.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.