Vol. 552 No. 2
155 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of remand and long-term places for young offenders; the locations of same; the number which are actually in use; and his plans in respect of the provision of such places over the next five years. [12244/02]
My Department has statutory responsibility for the provision of residential places for children up to the age of 16 years who are referred by the courts. There are five young offender centres under the aegis of my Department and they currently provide residential accommodation for up to 162 children, this includes up to 31 remand places. The current operational capacity is 132 places. The following table provides a breakdown of these places.
The operational capacity of these centres will fluctuate from time to time for a variety of reasons. The capacity of the Finglas centre is reduced currently to facilitate refurbishment and new developments. Capacity may also be reduced where a centre is required to make special arrangements in order to cater for a particularly difficult child.
My Department is currently implementing a major capital development plan in the young offender centres to ensure that the centres meet obligations that will arise under the Children Act, 2001, in addition to ensuring that they meet modern child care and health and safety standards. The projected capacity at the end of this plan is 181 children.
My Department has commissioned an independent review of the residential requirements for young offenders. The purpose of this review is to ensure that there are sufficient residential places available to meet the needs of the target group in the short, medium and longer term. A consultant has been appointed and it is expected that his report will be available shortly. The outcome of this review will inform future development plans in this area.
The Government's commitment to children at risk is evidenced by the measures in the Children Act, 2001. It proposes a modern statutory framework for the development of the juvenile justice system. In addition to updating the provisions relating to young persons who have been sentenced by the courts, including the obligations of the centres under the aegis of my Department, the legislation will provide for a wide range of early interventions and non-custodial alternatives to cater for children coming into conflict with the law or with serious care needs. It also provides for the establishment of the special residential services board. The special residential services board, currently operating on an administrative basis, will work in close so-operation with all relevant bodies, to facilitate and ensure the efficient and co-ordinated delivery of services to children in respect of whom children detention orders or special care orders are made.
|
Name of Centre |
Number of long-term places |
Number ofremand places |
Total numberof places |
Total numberof places in use |
|
Trinity House |
25 |
2 |
27 |
27 |
|
Oberstown Boys Centre |
18 |
8 |
26 |
20 |
|
Oberstown Girls Centre |
11 |
6 |
17 |
15 |
|
Finglas Child and Adolescent Centre |
37 |
15 |
52 |
30 |
|
St. Joseph's |
40 |
Nil |
40 |
40 |
|
Total |
131 |
31 |
162 |
132 |
