Detention Centres.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007

Tuesday, 9 October 2007

Questions (406, 407, 408, 409)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

496 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for the future of the five existing special schools for young offenders as reported in a newspaper (details supplied); his views on whether it is inappropriate to locate remand and assessment places on the same campus as detention places; the implications of these plans for the Finglas Child and Adolescent Centre; the status of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22875/07]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave earlier today, Tuesday, 9 October 2007, to Priority Question No. 97.

The Deputy may also wish to be aware that the Expert Group, which I referred to in my earlier answer, is examining a range of possible options for the development of additional children detention school accommodation. One of these options is to locate all of the facilities on the Lusk site where three of the existing schools are already located. There are, however, other options also being examined. These options include maintaining and developing separate remand and assessment services at the existing Finglas Child and Adolescent Centre.

The Expert Group will consider the implications for all of the existing detention schools, including Finglas Child and Adolescent Centre, in its report and it is consulting with all stakeholders as part of the process. No decisions have yet been made on the future of any of the existing detention schools. The final decision on the location, scope and design of the new facilities will be taken by the Government after the Expert Group has reported.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

497 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to a media report (details supplied) the steps which have been taken to secure additional land in Lusk; if agreement to purchase has been entered into; if so, if the Department of Finance has sanctioned the agreement; if so, the purchase price and from whom it was purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22882/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

No steps have been taken (nor have I any in contemplation) to secure additional land at Lusk. The Expert Group on Children Detention Schools, is currently examining a range of options for the development of new children detention school facilities. One of these options is to locate all new facilities on a site near Lusk, Co. Dublin where 3 of the existing schools are currently operating. This site which is approximately 65 acres in extent of sufficient size to accommodate any level of development necessary to provide new facilities while facilitating the continued operation of the existing schools until such time they are replaced.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

498 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to a media report (details supplied) the composition of the expert group; the chair of the group; the person or body who appointed the chair; and the reasons there are no child care representatives from the relevant children detention school on this expert group. [22883/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Expert Group was set up to advise the Minister for Children on the transfer of responsibilities for the four children detention schools from the Department of Education and Science to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and to advise on the planning for the redevelopment of the existing detention facilities and the development of new facilities, if required, to meet the future residential accommodation requirements of offending children under 18 years who have been ordered to be detained by the Courts. The Government has allocated €143 million in the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 for this redevelopment.

Ms. Mary Geaney, National Manager for Detention School Services, was appointed as chair by the Minister for Children following her recruitment to the position of National Manager through a public competition. The Expert Group comprises representatives of the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS), the Children Detention Schools, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Education and Science, the Irish Prison Service and the IYJS Child Care advisor.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

499 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to a media report (details supplied), if the Children’s Act Advisory Board advise him in all matters regarding care of young people in the children detention schools. [22884/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

On 1 March, 2007 upon the commencement of the relevant provisions of the Children Act 2001, as amended, responsibilty for the operation of the children detention schools transferred from the Department of Education and Science to the Irish Youth Justice Service of my Department. Advice in relation to matters regarding the care of children in the detention schools is provided by the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS). IYJS was established by Government and its remit includes developing a coordinated youth justice policy; devising and implementing a National Youth Justice Strategy; and the management of the children detention schools.

An Expert Group on Detention Schools was established to provide recommendations and advice in relation to the development of children detention facilities. That Group is to provide a final report by the end of this year.

Section 227(1) of the Children Act 2001, as amended by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007, sets out the functions of the Children Act Advisory Board . The Board may at the request of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, or the Minister for Health and Children, advise the Ministers on policy issues relating to the coordinated delivery of services under the Children Act 2001 and the Child Care Act 1991, including residential accommodation and support services to children detained in children detention schools.