Mary Harney
Question:82 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Education the educational provisions, if any, which have been made for young offenders.
Written Answers. - Education for Young Offenders.
My Department has overall responsibility for the operation of five centres for young offenders in the ten-17 year age range.
These centres aim to achieve rehabilitation so far as that may be possible, through an integrated programme of care and education.
Each of these institutions is officially recognised as a national school and each delivers a comprehensive education service designed to meet the needs of the children concerned, having regard to age and level of attainment.
The educational service provided embraces the full range of subjects and each institution enjoys a favourable teaching staff level. However, because of the difficulties of the children in question particular emphasis is placed on numeracy, literacy and like skills. They also include strong vocational and personal development aspects with activities such as music, art/craft, physical education and sport forming an important part of their programme.
In many cases the children have low levels of attainment. However, some children are capable of doing the State examinations and the service provides for the needs of such children.
The adequacy of the education services provided in these institutions is kept under constant review.