An €18.5m 'sustainable' prison HQ development has been officially unveiled in Longford.

The Irish Prison Service Headquarters building was completed on time and on budget, according to Healy Kelly Turner & Townsend, who were appointed to provide cost management advice on the scheme.

The firm was appointed by the Office of Public Works in 2005 to oversee the construction of the 5,600m² office space.

The scheme was completed in two phases, and offers a cafeteria and gymnasium in addition to extensive office space.

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The building is specifically designed to provide natural ventilation throughout which is automatically operated by thermostatically controlled Opening Vents.

These automatic Opening Vents also open at night to allow for 'night cooling' of the building structure.

The light management system provides efficiency lighting which turns on and off automatically in line with preset light levels.

A spokesperson for the Office of Public Works said: "There has been an enormous effort made to create as low an energy rating as possible to ensure low running costs. This proved very challenging as conventional heating and controlled air systems were kept to a minimum."

Mark Kelly, Managing Director of Healy Kelly Turner & Townsend, added: "Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important aspect on more and more of our commissions and many of our clients now benefit from our cost consultants skills in managing the financial elements of sustainable design and construction."

(PR/JM)