Parliamentary Question: Juvenile Offenders

10th December 2002

388. Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the continuation of the education centre in Shanganagh Castle Open Centre for Juveniles in view of the fact that his Department proposes to close the centre and leave Ireland as one of the only countries without an open centre for juveniles. [25512/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The teaching staff in the Irish Prison Service are employed by the relevant Vocational Education Committee (VEC) for the area in which each Institution is located. In the case of Shanganagh Castle, the County Dublin VEC is the relevant employer. The Deputy may wish to note that Shanganagh Castle is the only prison institution in that VEC's area of responsibility. I take the opportunity to again pay tribute to the important service that the education service staff in Shanganagh Castle have given to the prison system and in particular to the young offenders that have passed through Shanganagh over the years. I would also emphasise that the decision to close Shanganagh should in no way reflect on the excellent services provided by all the staff of that institution, including the education staff. With regard to the position of the teaching staff currently working in Shanganagh, the Irish Prison Service is engaging in dialogue with the County Dublin VEC regarding the arrangements for these staff. The Irish Prison Service will also support any measures that can be agreed with the relevant VEC that would facilitate any members of the teaching staff in Shanganagh who wish to continue to work in the prison education service to do so. Finally, the closure of Shanganagh is not a decision that has been taken lightly but it is one aimed at positive reinvestment in the prisons and at maximising the use of resources available to the Prison Service, for the benefit of the offenders who are placed in their care.