Vol. 526 No. 1
261 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which he has had consultations with Departments in regard to the provision of facilities for young offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26066/00]
My Department, through the Director General of the Prisons Agency, has held discussions with the authorities responsible for the management of the young offenders facilities at Oberstown boys and girls centres and at Trinity House, which are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science. These discussions related to the implications which will arise for both Departments under the Children's Bill, when enacted.
The Director General has also briefly discussed the issue with headquarters – based officials in the Department of Education and Science. Contact has also been made with authorities in other jurisdictions and there have been site visits by prison officials to juvenile offender facilities in the USA and the UK in recent months. Officials from the architectural services division of the Office of Public Works visited the new secure juvenile unit in Scotland during the summer.
Discussions regarding the procurement of new facilities which will be required by my Department for juvenile offenders aged between 16 and 17 years are taking place on an ongoing basis with the Office of Public Works.
