asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to close the reformatory at Daingean, County Offaly; if so, if he will set out in detail the reasons; the number and nature of improvement proposals which were refused departmental sanction; and the estimated cost in respect of each proposal which was refused in recent years on the grounds that no money was available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Daingean (Offaly) Reformatory.
26.
The building at Daingean is over 200 years old. A few years ago it was felt that through carrying out a scheme of works costing about £85,000 it might be possible to render it suitable as a reform school.
The modern concept of the role and function of such a school and the manner in which it should be operated ruled out the possibility of making the Daingean building suitable even on the basis of the comparatively large expenditure that was envisaged.
Accordingly it has been decided to build a new training school on a site which has been secured in County Dublin.
I might add that the committee which inquired into the reformatory and industrial schools recommended that the Daingean reformatory should be closed at the earliest possible opportunity.
Does the Minister not agree that there has been a high standard of efficiency, training and courtesy shown by the Oblate Fathers at Daingean to those in this school? Can the Minister state if there are any other reasons, apart from those outlined by him, why this school is being closed?
I should like to express my appreciation of the work done at Daingean, in difficult circumstances, by the Oblate Fathers; they will be in charge of the new reformatory school. The modern concept of the function of a reformatory school is the rehabilitation of the young offender. To do this effectively it is essential we should have a specially designed curriculum to include workshop training, craft activities and physical instruction. It is also essential that we have small classes in order to give special attention to backward children. I visited Daingean when I was appointed Minister and I arranged for several improvements in the curriculum. There are very many services needed to aid rehabilitation, including psychiatric and psychological services and also social workers. We consider it is essential that the school should be closer to Dublin because it would be easier to maintain a staff for these services in an area near Dublin. Another point was that most of the young people at Daingean came from Dublin and we had complaints from the parents about the cost of travel to visit them. Apart from the provision of treatment which is essential for the young people, there was also the question of cost to the parents.
Will the new school be located in Dublin?
In County Dublin, not in the city.
What about decentralisation?
Does the Minister not agree that this is contrary to the Government's policy of decentralisation? If part of the Minister's Department is transferred to Athlone, what objection has he to the erection of the new school in the grounds of Daingean, County Offaly?
I have already explained clearly the reasons for the change. The Government have a policy of decentralisation but, when a decision has to be made on a matter such as this, the first consideration must be the young people concerned.
Has a decision been made?
Yes.