Parliamentary Question: Prison Building Programme

29th January 2003

857. Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the locations which have been considered for a juvenile detention centre, other than Newlands Villa, Naas Road; the criteria used to select this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2036/03]

858. Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is appropriate to locate a third prison in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 in view of the huge public opposition to the prison by local residents and the local planning authority; and his plans to abandon the proposed development at this location and seek an alternative location for the proposed juvenile detention centre. [2106/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I propose to take Questions Nos. 857 and 858 together.

The Prison 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 the Prison Service. 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.

The criteria used to identify possible locations were as follows: a minimum of 3 hectares (7 acres) in size; fully serviced with sewer, water, gas and electrical connection readily available; located within a radius of 40 kilometres (25 miles) of Dublin city centre; convenient to and accessible from the main public transport and road networks; and available for immediate development (subject to the relevant planning requirements).
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.