Vol. 577 No. 4
184 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of under 18s housed in the Oberstown centre; if all of these have convictions; if not, the number who are there without being convicted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31512/03]
185 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of persons in Oberstown centre who are being held there due to the fact that there is no other accommodation for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31513/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Oberstown boys and Oberstown girls centres, which are two of the five children detention schools operating under the aegis of my Department. My officials have ascertained the position in relation to young people in these centres on Monday, 15 December 2003. While the operational capacity of the centres was 35 places, a total of 25 places were occupied by young people, comprising 19 boys in Oberstown boys centre and six girls in Oberstown girls centre.
The 19 places occupied in Oberstown boys centre comprised 12 committal places occupied by boys who were convicted by a court and six remand places occupied by boys remanded by a court on foot of criminal charges. One further remand place was occupied by a boy detained by order of the High Court.
The six places occupied in Oberstown girls centre comprised five committal places occupied by girls who were convicted by a court and one remand place occupied by a girl remanded by a court on foot of criminal charges.
