18th November 2003
398. Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of money expended on upgrading, refurbishment and improvement works to Fort Mitchell Prison, Spike Island, County Cork, over the past 15 years; the areas that the investment was made in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27202/03]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): Since 1997 a total of €7,155,207 has been spent on capital and maintenance works at Fort Mitchel place of detention. Information on such expenditure over the previous nine years is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources. Refurbishment and rebuilding works took place in the following areas of the institution: kitchen, visiting box, gym, staff mess, and education unit. Improvement works were carried out on the slipway, roadways, water supply, public lighting and on the institution's administration unit.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.