Vol. 463 No. 6
25 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to increase the numbers of juvenile detention places available and to ensure that such places have appropriate educational and training facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7088/96]
I assume the Deputy is referring to offenders aged 16-21. With regard to the accommodation for young offenders, my responsibility extends, except in very exceptional circumstances, to the detention of those juvenile offenders between the ages of 16 and 21. Responsibility for the offenders under 16 years of age rests, in the main, with my colleague, the Minister for Education.
In relation to the provision of extra accommodation for young offenders, I would like to point out that 33 additional cell spaces have been made available in St. Patrick's Institution in recent weeks and a further 57 cell spaces will become available for young male offenders at that institution following on the building of a new women's prison.
With the increase in offender numbers at St. Patrick's the obvious need for additional education and training facilities is being addressed. There is currently an extensive programme of refurbishment works which will greatly increase and enhance the education and training facilities in St. Patrick's. These facilities will become available for use next month.
