asked the Minister for Education (a) the number of children on remand in Marlboro House, Dublin, at a recent date, (b) the average length of time spent by each child in the House, (c) the number of staff there, (d) the cost of maintenance of the House for the past three years, (e) the cost per day of maintaining a child there and (f) what training or educational facilities are available there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marlboro House, Dublin.
25.
(a) The number of boys on remand in Marlboro House on 30th November last was 19; (b) the average length of time spent by each boy on remand during the past 12 months was 4.0 days; (c) the wholetime staff of the house comprises the superintendent, his wife, who is matron, five male attendants and two female cleaners. In addition, there are a visiting physician and chaplain; (d) the cost of maintenance of the house in each of the past three years was:—
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1965/66 — £6,954 |
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1966/67 — £9,925 |
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1967/68 — £8,834 |
(e) the average cost per day of maintaining a boy there is 18s 7d; (f) in view of the short average period of detention of the boys no formal educational facilities are provided for them.
I may add that work on the construction of the new place of detention at Finglas has commenced and is expected to be completed before the end of 1970.
Does the Minister not agree this seems to be a wasteful way of dealing with this matter?
I agree with the Deputy. This is a pro tem arrangement pending a permanent place of detention. We will have the new place by 1970.
There is to be a new building in place of Marlboro House?
Yes. There will be a new institution in Finglas. Work has started on it.
Ad interim, would the Minister cause inquiry to be made as to whether the children incarcerated there are allowed to attend their religious duties with the frequency and regularity he and I would wish, or are they strictly limited and is there any question of their not being released to go to Mass? I am not trying to embarrass the Minister. Perhaps he would make discreet inquiry with a view to satisfying himself that anything necessary is being done?
I will do that.
In view of the fact that the Minister says the children are detained there for only four days at a time and have a chaplain of their own, how could any difficulty of this kind arise?
I am quite content if the Minister says he will look into the matter.
I will look into it.
It appears rather peculiar.