Juvenile Offenders

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2015

Tuesday, 10 November 2015

Questions (470)

Regina Doherty

Question:

470. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the education system within the juvenile justice system has the same inspection regime, standardised testing and supports as other schools; the additional learning supports that are provided to young offenders; the ratio of pupils to teachers in each of the detention centres, high support centres, and other centres; the measurements that are used to monitor outcomes; the percentage of young offenders whose literacy levels are under Level 1; and the education spend on the juvenile criminal justice system annually. [38976/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's Inspectorate conducts specialised High Support Unit, Special Care Unit and Children Detention Centre inspections in schools attached to these Units/Centres. These schools have been inspected annually since 2011. All Inspection reports are published on my Department's website. A variety of assessments are carried out in these schools depending on circumstances including age and stage of educational progress of students. The students are of post-primary age and may pursue some Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate subjects or FETAC programmes. The pupil teacher ratio in these settings is 6:1. Expenditure on education provision in centres operated by Tusla and the Irish Youth Justice Service in the current school year will be in the order of €4.5 million.