Vol. 536 No. 6
205 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if cells in Garda stations are used to accommodate people in certain situations, such as homeless people or juveniles, when no other places are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15176/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that cells in Garda Síochána stations are utilised solely for the purpose of accommodating detained persons and that the Garda Síochána has no function in the provision of accommodation for homeless persons. Juvenile detention rooms are provided in all larger stations such as district headquarters, divisional headquarters and city type stations.
If a juvenile offender is remanded in custody on foot of a court order and no place is available at the juvenile offenders institution, he or she must remain in the custody of the member of the Garda Síochána to whom he or she was delivered on foot of the court order. On a number of occasions, juvenile offenders, remanded in custody on foot of a court order in the above circumstances have been detained in cell accommodation at Garda Síochána stations.
