Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Detention Centres.

Paul McGrath

Question:

323 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of places available in Oberstown House centre to detain young people; the numbers confined there in each of the last five years; the present complement of detainees; the number of persons who have been ordered by the courts to be detained at Oberstown for which there is presently no accommodation; where these persons are presently detained; if any of these have been released despite the orders of the courts; the plans, if any, he has to provide additional places for persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10002/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Details of the current capacity and projected capacity, after completion of my Department's development plans for Oberstown Boys Centre and the other young offender centres, are outlined in the following table. The other detailed information requested by the Deputy in relation to Oberstown Boys Centre is currently being compiled in my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

From time to time, difficulties arise accommodating individual children on the first date on which placement is sought in any particular unit due to pressure on places on a given day. In general, the child in these circumstances is either subsequently placed in that unit or in one of the other facilities as an alternative to, or pending the availability of, a place in the original unit of preference. Plans for major re-development and enhancement of the range of facilities under my Department, together with the development of a significant number of high support units and special care units and other services by the health boards, seek to broaden the range of facilities and services available for "at risk" children.

These developments of the schools under the aegis of my Department will result in a net increase in the provision for young offenders of 30 places. The new and replacement facilities are being designed to allow for maximum flexibility in the use of the places to cater for fluctuating demand among the different categories in the future.

The Children Bill, 1999, along with providing for the above mentioned facilities, also provides for a wide range of non-custodial options to be available for such children. The Bill also makes provision for the establishment of a residential services board which will have a co-ordinating role to help ensure that there is an appropriate response to meet the care needs of these children.

Centre	Type*	Current capacity	Projected capacity
Trinity House School, Oberstown, Lusk.	ReformatoryPlace of Detention	282	362
Oberstown Boys Centre, Oberstown, Lusk.	ReformatoryPlace of Detention	2010	3610
Oberstown Girls Centre, Oberstown, Lusk.	ReformatoryPlace of Detention	87	147
Finglas Childrens Centre, Kildonan Rd., Finglas, Dublin 11.	Industrial SchoolPlace of Detention	4020	4020
St. Joseph's Special School Ferryhouse, Clonmel	Industrial School	50	50

*These facilities will be described as children detention schools when the Children Bill, 1999, is enacted.