asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he has to improve the facilities at the Bridewell Garda Station, Dublin, which have recently been described as primitive and overcrowded, to cater for the needs of gardaí and both male and female prisoners, including those with infectious diseases.

The Department of Justice approved on 24 April 1986 details of actual works to a prototype cell at the Bridewell undertaken by the Office of Public Works at the Department's behest.

The way is now clear for the Office of Public Works to undertake a major cell block refurbishment scheme on the same lines as the prototype and the Department's instructions, including source of funding are awaited.

I am very glad to note there has been some reaction to the protests about conditions at the Bridewell. Could the Minister of State tell us what kind of improvements are planned? I know there is a serious problem obtaining there at present in relation to the separation of prisoners, and the difficulties vis-á-vis prisoners with AIDS and other problems. What is planned?

As the Deputy is probably aware, the Office of Public Works act on an agency basis only for Departments, in this instance, the Department of Justice. We await full instructions as to what the Department of Justice require. I agree with the Deputy that the environment at the Bridewell is one of overcrowding, violent tensions, of difficulties on both sides and fears in relation to infection from AIDS and indeed hepatitis B. Management of the Bridewell, including questions of overcrowding, public health operational policy and others are matters for the Department of Justice, the Garda Commissioner and local Garda management.

Representatives of the Department of Justice, the Garda Commissioner's Office and the Office of Public Works met at the Bridewell on 25 September 1985. The Department of Justice representative instructed the Office of Public Works to undertake works which included door lighting, ventilation, heating, sanitation, and so on, on a particular cell which would be a prototype for a major cell block refurbishment scheme. The Bridewell houses a total of 20 cells. This intimation, on 25 September last, was the first from the Department of Justice to my office that the Department required a major cell block refurbishment. Five subsequent meetings have been held throughout past months to ensure conformity with details in respect of the prototype cell and other matters in relation to the Department of Justice instructions.