Vol. 454 No. 1
20 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils currently in St. Laurence's Special School, Finglas, Dublin 11; the plans, if any, she has to update and refurbish the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9638/95]
There are currently 36 boys in residence at St. Laurence's Industrial School in Finglas. The Deputy will appreciate that occupancy levels in these facilities can vary from day to day depending on decisions taken by the courts and the pace at which individual children become due for release. The average number of pupils in St. Laurence's Industrial School during 1994 was 43.
As I announced recently, I am undertaking a number of significant initiatives aimed at improving current provisions in the young offender area. My Department is already engaged in the detailed planning of these developments.
I am aware that the authorities in the Finglas Children's Centre, of which St. Laurence's is a part, have recently submitted detailed proposals for the upgrading and refurbishment of their centre. These proposals are being fully taken into account as part of the wider planning process now under way.
