Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Juvenile Offenders.

Nora Owen

Question:

1262 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the provision of fencing around the Trinity House complex in Lusk, County Dublin; the discussions which have occurred with local groups; the dimensions of the fence; the cost and the schedule for its provision; if he will fully outline current proposals for expanding the services provided in Trinity-Oberstown complexes; and his future proposals in this regard. [2089/01]

The Deputy will be aware that the campus at Oberstown, Lusk, County Dublin, which extends to approximately 60 acres, accommodates three centres for young offenders; Trinity House, Oberstown Boys Centre and Oberstown Girls Centre. Trinity House is already enclosed by a secure fence. The balance of the site which contains Oberstown Boys and Girls Centres and four houses associated with the centres will be enclosed by the new fence.

Tenders for the construction of the fence, associated landscaping works and access upgrading were recently invited. The tender report is currently being prepared by the design team and my Department expects to award the contract in the coming weeks.

Lusk Community Council, representing the local community, had a number of meetings with officials of my Department and the directors of the centres regarding the proposed fence. Details of the plans were on public display at the Oberstown Centre and in the Department's office in Marlborough Street from 31 August 2000 for one month, as required by the planning and development regulations.

The proposed fence will be three metres high along the boundary fronting the main road and 3.5 metres high around the east, west and northern boundaries and will extend in length to 2.5 kilometres approximately.

The cost of the proposed works is not expected to exceed £1.5 million and the project is scheduled for completion in six months. The proposed expansion of the services provided in Trinity-Oberstown complexes includes: the development of a highly specialised secure unit on the campus at Lusk to cater for six children; the architectural planning is at an advanced stage and documents will shortly be lodged with the planning authority and also be put on display at the centre. I expect the project to go to tender in the next few months.

The development of pre-release units to cater for young offenders who are nearing completion of their sentence. Plans are advancing with a view to this service coming on stream later this year. Major redevelopment of the Oberstown Boys and Girls Centres, resulting in the replacement of the residential units.
In the meanwhile an essential refurbishment programme has been ongoing in the Young Offenders Centres over the last year and significant upgrading works have been necessary at Oberstown in order to maintain the units in operation while awaiting completion of the planning and construction of new units in three to five years.
Top
Share