Minister announces site for new Mountjoy complex
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell T.D., today announced that the Government has approved the purchase of a 150 acre site to serve as the location for a new prison complex to replace Mountjoy. The site, which is located at Thorntown, County Dublin, has been purchased at a cost of Euro 29.9m.
Commenting on the purchase, the Minister said "The purchase of the site is a major step forward in modernising prison conditions and improving facilities for prisoners and staff. It will eliminate the current practice in Mountjoy of slopping out. I am satisfied that, when fully developed, this project will contribute to a more cost effective prison system."
While full details of the new prison complex have not yet been finalised, the Minister confirmed that the facilities on the new site will include:
- a new male prison;
- a new female prison;
- and ancillary support services.
A final decision has yet to be made on the location of the new training unit and new separate facilities for male and female offenders in the 16-17 year old age group. It is intended that the facilities in the new female prison will be at least on a par with those provided in the existing Dochas centre.
The existing Mountjoy complex currently has a total capacity of over 900 prisoners and the new complex will have to cater for more than that number. When operational, the facility, which will have a deep perimeter separating prison facilities from areas of public access, will provide employment for upwards of 1,000 prison and support staff including teaching, medical and catering etc.
While cost was a consideration, the site was recommended by an expert committee which reviewed over 30 possible sites having regard to the following criteria:
- location vis a vis the courts and other prison facilities*;
- proximity to public transport;
- availability of Garda-, hospital and fire services;
- access and egress to site;
- shape, topography and size of site;
- availability of sewage, electricity and other services;
- planning, zoning and impact on local community.
*for operational reasons, priority was given to finding a site within 8 kilometres of the M50 motorway.
Now that a site has been purchased, detailed planning will proceed for a Public Private Partnership to construct new facilities. Mountjoy will continue to be used until the new facilities have been brought into operation which will not happen before 2008. At that stage, it is intended that the entire Mountjoy site would be put up for sale.
The Minister has asked the Irish Prison Service to engage in consultations with local interests and to ensure that account will be taken of any genuine concerns. More detailed plans will be made available to the public later this year. Any queries in relation to the development of the prison may be addressed to the Press and Information Office, Irish Prison Service, telephone 01 4616006.
The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for mental health, Mr. Tim O'Malley, T.D., welcomed the opportunity the site presents to further develop plans for a new Central Mental Hospital. The Government has agreed in principle, subject to further study, to the transfer of the Central Mental Hospital to the new site. The site chosen provides scope for the construction of a new hospital on its own grounds and with a separate entrance, access road and address. The Minister of State stressed that, if the new Central Mental Hospital were developed on a separate site adjoining the Thorntown campus, it would be adjacent to, but not part of, the new prison complex. Minister O'Malley confirmed that his Department was studying this option and would be having further discussions on it with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Finance.
26 January 2005. |
