Coovagh House is a five-place special care unit operated by the Mid-Western Health Board catering for boys aged 11 to 17 years which provides residential, educational and therapeutic supports in a secure setting for a small number of non-offending children in need of special care or protection. The unit, which opened late last year, caters for children from the Mid-Western, Southern and South Eastern Health Boards. The Mid-Western Health Board has informed me that the unit is opening on a phased basis and that, with current staffing resources, there are two places available, of which one is occupied at present. There are no applications for admission to the unit.