asked the Minister for Education whether, when he is transferring the place of detention for juveniles on remand from Summerhill to elsewhere, he will (1) establish the new premises where some outdoor playground will be available, preferably outside the city limits; (2) organise the new establishment on the lines of a medical and psychological clinic under a qualified superintendent; (3) provide for the appointment of a fully qualified matron; and (4) provide for proper educational and religious instruction for the children during the period of detention.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Detention of Juveniles.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to a question which he asked on this subject on 18th February last. The only further statement I am in a position to make at present is that I propose to be guided as far as possible by the recommendations on the subject of the place of detention for boys in Dublin contained in the report of the recent Commission of Inquiry into the industrial schools system.
Does the Minister intend to build an establishment which would be designed primarily for the accommodation of such young people as are here contemplated, or does he mean to buy some existing building and try to adapt it?
The intention is to buy an existing place, if a suitable one can be found.
May I suggest, in view of the very peculiar circumstances surrounding this matter, that it would be very much better if he would build a suitable establishment which would be available for the kind of equipment that I think both he and I have in mind? No ordinary old house will meet the requirements of the situation here, because the health and the surroundings of the children are of a kind that make it very necessary that the building which will be chosen for their detention will savour somewhat of an hospital, and it is extremely difficult to adapt any old building for that purpose. One can imagine cleanliness is a very vital consideration, and one can readily see that an old building will be difficult to adapt to that purpose.