Vol. 496 No. 3
426 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to provide special educational facilities for young offenders in the south east region (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22617/98]
My Department has responsibility for five special residential schools for juvenile offenders. The facilities in question, which are certified under the Children Act, 1908, are as follows: Finglas children's centre, Dublin 11, which is comprised of St. Michael's remand and assessment unit and St. Laurence's special school; Oberstown boys' centre, Lusk, County Dublin; Oberstown girls' centre, Lusk, County Dublin; Trinity House school, Lusk, County Dublin.
St. Joseph's special school, Ferryhouse, Clonmel is certified as an industrial school by the Minister for Education and Science. It caters for children under 15 years at time of admission. Earlier this year, a consultant design team advised my Department on the developments required in the young offender centres to enable my Department to meet its commitments under the Children Bill, 1996, and to meet the changing needs in provision for young offenders in accordance with best practice internationally. Work on planning a programme of developments to meet these needs is currently under way.
