Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 5

Written Answers. - Prison Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

138 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent of communications with the Departments of Health and Children, and Education and Science, with a view to the immediate provision of custodial places for juveniles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3108/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

My Department and the Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children are currently involved in a multi-agency approach to developing responses, including the provision of custodial places, for troubled and troublesome young persons. This work is taking place in the context of the ongoing implementation of the Children Act 2001.

The National Children's Office has taken the lead role in relation to co-ordinating the implementation of the Act and have established a working group for this purpose. The group, which includes high level representation from my Department and the Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children, meets on a regular basis to review progress in implementing the Act and to bring forward further proposals. While there is significant emphasis in the legislation on custodial care being a last resort, the provision of appropriate custodial facilities will continue to be a priority. I have responsibility for the provision of accommodation for young offenders aged between 16 and 21 years. St. Patrick's Institution is specifically designated to cater for this age group and the majority of inmates under the 18 years of age are detained in this institution as well as in Fort Mitchel. On 13 January 2003, there were 60 offenders under the age of 18 years detained in the various prisons and places of detention under the administration of the Irish Prison Service.

Under the Children Act 2001, however, I will be obliged to provide separate detention facilities for 16 and 17 year old boys and girls who are committed to custody by the courts either on remand or under sentence. The Irish Prison Service proposes to provide a 38 bed unit for male juveniles with full support facilities on a dedicated site adjacent to Cork prison. At present, a tender competition is being prepared for this facility.

In addition, the Irish Prison Service is seeking suitable sites for the location of another juvenile detention facility for young offenders aged 16 to 17 years, as part of the process of implementing the Children's Act 2001. As the Deputy may be aware, I have not yet made a conclusive decision on the location of the proposed development. The Deputy may also be aware that the special school facilities that were to be provided for younger offenders in St. Patrick's Institution are now the subject of a review by the Government to see whether or not they should be devoted to 14 and 15 year old offenders and unruly children. It may well be that these will become available to augment St. Patrick's Institution.