Vol. 516 No. 6
378 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, in place for the development of a new pre-release unit at Trinity House Complex, Lusk, County Dublin; the number this unit will accommodate at any one time and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8934/00]
380 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will meet as a matter of urgency with representatives from a community group (details supplied) in County Dublin concerning the developments at Trinity House complex in view of the fact that the issue of security is a matter of concern of the community and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8936/00]
381 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, in place for the refurbishment of the facilities at Oberstown boys' and Oberstown girls' centre, Lusk, County Dublin and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8937/00]
382 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, in place for the refurbishment of the facilities at Trinity House, Lusk, County Dublin and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8938/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 378, 380, 381 and 382 together.
My Department is pursuing a five year development plan in the young offender area. The plan envisages a major refurbishment of some of the existing custodial facilities, coupled with measures aimed at ensuring that the custodial facilities operated under my Department are capable of meeting their obligations under the forthcoming Children Bill, 1999.
The plan envisages the development of a pre-release unit on the Lusk campus to cater for young male offenders who are nearing completion of their sentence. The precise location and capacity of this unit has yet to be decided. However, the number of boys to be catered for in such a unit is unlikely to be more than six.
The development plan also envisages major refurbishment of both Oberstown boys and Oberstown girls centres, leading to the eventual replacement of the existing residential units. The object of these measures is to ensure the highest standards of care in these facilities while maintaining a suitably secure environment.
Two of the three units which comprise Trinity House have already undergone very significant refurbishment over the past year. The development plan envisages further refurbishment work at this centre.
