To ask the Minister of Justice, pursuant to AQW 31197/17-22, (i) when the outline business case for HMP Magilligan was submitted; (ii) to provide details on the outcome of this, including actions that will result and the associated timeframe; and (iii) whether funding is available and in place for the planned work.

Approval for the associated expenditure in the Outline Business Case 1 (OBC) for the Redevelopment of Magilligan Prison Project was granted by Department of Finance (DoF) in May 2022.

However, due to significant cost inflation, NIPS has determined that this work should proceed on a phased approach, determined by urgent business need, commencing with the preparation of OBC1s for a New Kitchen and Café and an additional wing at Halward House. Funding requirements for these projects will be informed by the OBC1s which are being progressed.

Funding allocations will be determined by budget availability. All contractual commitments will have to be prioritised before other projects can be funded.