Vol. 415 No. 9
104 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Education the number of places currently available in secure centres under the control of his Department for (a) young male offenders and (b) young female offenders referred by the courts; if he will outline the latest position with regard to plans for additional places; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The total number of places provided for young male offenders by centres under the control of my Department is currently 194.
In the case of young female offenders, a total of 11 places is currently provided.
Arrangements are in train to increase the above numbers by a further 22 places for boys and four places for girls over the next two months, as part of the completion of the recent development of Oberstown Boys Centre and Oberstown Girls Centre.
In addition, plans are advanced for the construction of a new centre to hold up to 20 young females at Finglas. This facility is scheduled for completion in the latter half of 1993. Upon completion of the Finglas project it is intended to transfer the occupants of Oberstown Girls Centre to Finglas, thus providing further additonal accommodation for use by Oberstown Boys Centre.
In general terms, centres for young offenders under the control of my Department operate in a relatively open environment which reflects an ethos of rehabilitation through care and education.
Security features, while present in all centres, are not obtrusive and control of the inhabitants is maintained through involving them in rehabilitative programmes rather than through the use of physical security mechanisms. The only centre with overt security features is Trinity House School which can cater for up to 30 of the most serious and disruptive young male offenders.
