asked the Minister for Justice if it is his intention to build a detention centre within the Limerick area to rehabilitate juvenile offenders who are dealt with by the courts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Detention Centre.
28.
My direct official responsibility in this matter relates to accommodation for offenders over 16 years of age and there are no proposals at present for the provision of a detention centre in Limerick for persons over that age.
The provision of custodial accommodation for persons under 16 years of age has never been the responsibility of my Department and, while my Department will provide some accommodation for offenders under 16 to meet an urgent need, it will be purely as a temporary measure pending the provision of permanent accommodation by the Department of Education. I have no proposals to provide such temporary accommodation in Limerick. The question whether there may be a need for a permanent centre in Limerick for offenders under 16 is one primarily for the Minister for Education.