The Prison Service has begun assembling a project management team to plan construction of the controversial new prison complex at Thornton Hall in north Co Dublin.
The State body announced yesterday it was inviting tenders for the supply of engineering services and other consultancy work.
The move comes a month after the High Court granted leave to a local man to challenge the construction of the prison, which is replacing Mountjoy.
The Prison Service said the successful tenderer would be required to provide a range of services, including engineering reports, quantity surveying and project management.
The tenderer may also be required to arrange for the provision of other specialist services, including "flora and fauna surveys", topographical studies, and archaeological services.
A separate tender will be issued for the construction of the complex, according to a notice posted on the Government tendering website.
The Rolestown St Margaret's Action Group said it was "most concerned" about the notice.
"We have raised serious questions in respect of both the procurement of this site and its congruity and sustainability in this area," the residents' group said in a statement. It urged the Minister for Justice "to ensure that no further taxpayers' money is disbursed to a project which is being challenged in the courts and at a community level".
The Thornton site was bought this year for €30 million.
The Labour Party has called for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the 150-acre site, which cost eight times the normal price of agricultural land.
