Vol. 396 No. 3
55 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice if young people under the age of 16 are on occasion detained in Mountjoy Prison; if so, the typical period of time for which they are detained; the circumstances which apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The courts may commit to prison 15 and 16 year old persons in accordance with the provisions of section 97 and 102 of the Children Act, 1908.
While the precise statistics requested by the Deputy are not readily available and could not be compiled without a disproportionate expenditure of staff time, the latest figures available show that 32 people aged 15 and 16 were committed to prison under sentence in 1988 and that the majority of the sentences imposed were under two years.
