asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the number of young offenders convicted in the courts who have not been placed in corrective training or other centres; and if he has any plans to deal with this grave problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Young Offenders.
14.
I have no statistical information in relation to this matter. These cases are dealt with in courts all over the country and information is not furnished to my Department in regard to the decisions taken in each individual case. I am aware, however, of the difficulties experienced by the courts in placing some boys in a reformatory school, because of the unwillingness of the manager to accept them. I am confident that this matter will be satisfactorily resolved when the new special school at Oberstown will be available as from 1973. I also have put discussions in train so that in the meantime an arrangement may be made to overcome the present difficulties.
Would the Minister inform us as to what arrangements he has made? In the city of Limerick four young boys were convicted last week and there was no place in which to put them. Will the Minister tell us now what he has in mind in order to deal with this urgent problem?
Discussions are taking place at the present moment to see if we can overcome the problem, which is a very difficult one.
Has the Minister any idea as to when finality will be reached?
I have not. The matter will be dealt with as speedily as possible. I am as anxious about it as the Deputy is.
Good.