Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
485. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the construction of additional accommodation at the children detention school in an area (details supplied) in County Dublin is on target; if the project is still on schedule to be completed by mid 2014; and if she will provide a timeline for the Children (Amendment) Bill and the amalgamation of the three children detention schools. [29026/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 20006/13 of 30 April 2013 in relation to the progress of the proposed National Children Detention Facility (NCDF) project in Oberstown, Lusk, Co Dublin. The position is unchanged.
In relation to the proposed amendments to the Children Act I can confirm that I obtained the approval of the Cabinet to proceed with the drafting of the necessary of the legislation. I understand that the drafting of the legislation will take place during the summer with a view to publishing a Bill by the autumn and progressing through the relevant parliamentary processes for enactment of legislation before the end of 2013.
The proposed amendment of the Children Act provides a mechanism for the amalgamation of the three children detention schools into one legal entity. The timeline for giving effect to this mechanism is dependent on the date of enactment of the proposed amendment. However, I can confirm that all necessary measures will be put in place to ensure that the amalgamation takes place as soon as possible after the proposed amendment to the legislation has been enacted.
