Vol. 512 No. 1
90 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of places in each of the detention centres for children; the number of children being detained in each centre; his views on the level of provision; the plans, if any, he has to extend the provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25162/99]
My Department has responsibility for five residential facilities for juvenile offenders. Four of these centres cater for young male offenders and one caters for young female offenders. Details of the current operating capacity of each of these facilities and the number of children detained in each case are set out in the following tables.
The Children Bill, 1999, will have significant implications for the future operation of the juvenile offender system and the custodial facilities operated under my Department. In particular, arising from the Bill, these facilities will be required to cater for children whose behaviour is seriously unruly or depraved and children who have serious therapeutic needs. In the past, the juvenile offender facilities have not been equipped to cater for such cases.
In order to meet its obligations under the Children Bill, my Department has reviewed its overall provision for juvenile offenders and has embarked on a five year development plan. This plan envisages the phased development of up to 24 additional places for young male offenders and up to eight additional places for young female offenders over this period.
The plan will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and adjusted if necessary to take account of wider developments under the Children Bill. In particular, the impact of the non-custodial interventions contained in the Bill on the number of children placed into custody.
Table 1
Current operating capacity of juvenile offender centres
|
Name of Centre |
Maximum Capacity |
LongTerm |
Remand |
Total |
|
Trinity House School |
28 |
2 |
30 |
|
|
Oberstown Boys Centre |
20 |
10 |
30 |
|
|
Oberstown Girls Centre |
8 |
8 |
16 |
|
|
Finglas Children's Centre |
40 |
20 |
65 |
|
|
St. Joseph's Industrial School, Clonmel |
50 |
– |
50 |
|
Centre |
Long Term |
Remand |
Total |
|
Trinity House School |
17 |
2 |
19 |
|
Oberstown Boys Centre |
17 |
8 |
25 |
|
Oberstown Girls Centre |
6 |
6 |
12 |
|
Finglas Children's Centre |
33 |
19 |
52 |
|
St. Joseph's Industrial School, Clonmel |
40 |
– |
40 |
