Parliamentary Question: Detention Centres

11th February 2003

291. Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the procedures which exist for the filling of places at juvenile detention centres that may be vacant on a short-term basis when full-time residents of the detention centre are on temporary release; if his Department has specific guidelines that apply to all detention centres for the filling of places on a short-term basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3601/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey): The five child detention schools under the aegis of my Department provide residential accommodation for children under 16 years who have been convicted of offences or remanded in custody by the courts. Children may be committed to the schools for a period ranging from one to four years. Children on charges before the courts may be remanded in custody to the schools either on remand only or remand for assessment. Remand periods range from days to weeks.

The schools provide programmes of residential care, education and rehabilitation for the children. As part of the rehabilitation and reintegration process, children may have authorised leave from the school for the purposes of home leave or for educational and training purposes. During this time, they are still under the terms of their sentence and are away from the school under strict conditions. The schools are obliged to ensure that a place is available for them when they return, or if they breach the conditions of their leave and are required to return to the school earlier than planned. If places temporarily vacated by children on such leave were automatically filled on a short-term basis, it would lead to a revolving door situation which is contrary to the principles of care, education, training and rehabilitation.