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Child Detention Centres

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2012

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Ceisteanna (21)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

21. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made to date in expanding the facilities at Oberstown Children Detention Centre, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40693/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy may be aware I announced on 2 April 2012, following agreement with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, an investment package of approximately €50 million in capital funding for the project to expand the detention places and facilities on the Oberstown campus. This will involve the delivery within two years of sufficient new facilities at Oberstown to accommodate all children that are subject to detention by the courts, ending the requirement for anyone under 18 years to be sent to St. Patrick’s Institution. In addition to this I announced interim measures which included a pledge that the age range for the detention schools would be extended to include 16 year old boys. This was given effect from 1 May 2012 and I am happy to report that there are no longer any 16 year olds being detained in St. Patrick's Institution.

Work is progressing well on the project to develop the Oberstown campus with a pre-qualification process for contractors for the specialist areas, such as fire safety, security, mechanical and electrical, and for the main contractor near completion. Tenders will issue later this year with a view to having construction commence on site in May 2013. On 13 August 2012 the required planning notice was published in the national media and documentation was made available for consultation by the public. Prior to this notice being published, officials from my Department organised a question and answers meeting with members of the local community and held an open day with staff on the campus to brief them on the project to date. I have been informed that the period for making observations for the planning process has closed and that the final determination is expected to be made shortly.

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