I wish to advise the Deputy that for legal reasons, all 17 year old remand prisoners continue to be detained at St Patrick's Institution.
In December 2013, all sentenced 17 year olds were transferred from St Patrick's Institution to a dedicated unit in Wheatfield on an interim basis pending the opening of the new facilities in Oberstown. To facilitate this transfer, Wheatfield was re-designated as a Place of Detention. The transfer of the 18-21 year old cohort to a separate dedicated unit was completed in early February 2014. There are no 16 year olds in any prison.
I wish to further advise the Deputy that since late 2013 a Working Group consisting of officials from my department, the Irish Prison Service, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and a number of interested parties have been considering all options in relation to the detention of these young persons pending the completion of building works at Oberstown, County Dublin. Among the options being considered is the possibility of a stand-alone Unit in Wheatfield Place of Detention. This option is currently being given serious consideration and legal advice on the matter has been sought. The Deputy will appreciate that as the matter is under consideration without a final decision having been made, I am not in a position to confirm whether or not this option will proceed.
