Seán Crowe
Question:383 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the proposed detention centre near Newlands Villa is not to proceed; and the reasons for rejecting this site. [6134/03]
Written Answers - Detention Centres.
The Prison Service placed public advertisements in October 2001 seeking suitable sites for the location of a juvenile detention facility for young offenders aged 16 to 17 years, as part of the process of implementing the Children Act 2001. Submissions were received by the Prison Service on foot of these advertisements. In addition, other sites in State ownership, including all prison properties, were assessed with detailed feasibility studies completed by the Office of Public Works. The Office of Public Works recommended that the site referred to by the Deputy was the most suitable location of those examined and, on that basis, a planning notice under part 9 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 2000 was served in December 2002. This involved placing public advertisements in newspapers as well as displaying notices on the actual site regarding the proposed development.
The Office of Public Works is preparing a report for my consideration on this matter which I expect to have within two to three weeks. It will take on board all comments and observations received in connection with this project. The Deputy will be aware that I have made it clear, in both Houses of the Oireachtas, that I have not yet made a conclusive decision on the location of the proposed development. I have, however, asked the Prison Service to review possible alternatives. I do not propose to comment further until this report is to hand and I have had a chance to consider it and all of the alternatives.