Vol. 549 No. 2
161 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of juvenile detention places currently available throughout the country; the number required; his plans to meet this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6234/02]
Statutory responsibility for the provision of spaces for young offenders under 16 years of age lies with the Minister for Education and Science. I have statutory responsibility for the provision of accommodation for young offenders aged between 16 and 21 years. St. Patrick's Institution and Shanganagh Castle are specifically designated to cater for this age group and currently have a combined capacity of 299. The majority of prisoners under 18 years of age are detained in these two institutions as well as in Fort Mitchel and Wheatfield Prison. On 29 January, 2002, there were 94 such offenders detained in the various prisons and places of detention under the administration of the Irish Prisons Service.
Under the terms of the Children Act, 2001, I am obliged to provide separate detention facilities for 16 to 17 year old boys and girls who are committed to custody by the courts either on remand or under sentence. A 38 bed unit for young males in this age group with full support facilities will be provided on a dedicated site adjacent to Cork Prison. Preliminary site works have commenced and a tender competition is being run for the accommodation and ancillary facilities. I expect building work to commence later this year.
A facility will also be provided in the Dublin area for 110 offenders aged 16 and 17 years of age – 90 males and 20 females. My Department is actively examining several sites in the greater Dublin area in this regard.
The probation and welfare service of my Department also funds 33 community residential places for offenders aged under 18 years. There is also a wide range of non-residential placements and projects available for this age group.
