asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement concerning the future use of Shelton Abbey, County Wicklow, by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Shelton Abbey.
109.
I issued a statement on 28th June last in the following terms:
Shelton Abbey, Arklow, has been transferred from the Department of Lands to the Department of Justice for use as a place of detention for about 50 offenders in the younger age group. It is expected that it will be brought into full operation over the next few months.
In recent years Shelton Abbey has been in use as a forestry school. It is no longer required for this purpose as the backlog of forester requirements has been overcome and the Department of Lands is centralising its training programme at Kinnitty Castle and Avondale House.
The forest areas at Shelton are remaining with the Department of Lands.
At this stage I have nothing further to add and it is unlikely that I will be in a position to give more detailed information for some time.