Nuala Fennell
Ceist:78 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to provide a secure unit for female offenders under 21 years of age, as exists for young male offenders.
Written Answers. - Female Offenders' Unit.
The custodial accommodation specifically for male offenders under 21 years of age for which I have responsibility are the places of detention at St. Patrick's Institution, at Wheatfield and the place of open custody at Shanganagh Castle.
There are no plans at present to provide similar custodial accommodation specifically for females under 21 years of age. However, when plans are being drawn later this year for the refurbishment of the women's prison in Mountjoy, the question of providing separate facilities within that institution for females under 21 will be examined.