Parliamentary Question: Juvenile Offenders

5th December 2001

173. Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which his Department has liaised with other Departments with a view to the provision of detention facilities for juveniles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31159/01]
 
174. Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if progress in the provision of detention facilities for juveniles is in accord with requirements and projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31160/01]

175. Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the courts are regularly forced to set free juveniles who require custodial care on the basis of lack of appropriate accommodation; the number of such cases brought to his attention in recent times; his plans in conjunction with other Departments to make the necessary provisions as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31161/01]
 
Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods): I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 175, inclusive, together.

My Department has sole statutory responsibility for the provision of residential services for children up to the age of 16 years who have been convicted by a court or placed on remand by a court. There are five young offender centres under the aegis of my department. A programme to upgrade and modernise these facilities is currently under way.

From time to time difficulties may arise accommodating individual children on the first date on which a placement is sought in a particular unit due to pressure on places on a given day. In general the child in these circumstances is either subsequently placed in the unit or in one of the other facilities as an alternate to, or pending the availability of, a place in the original unit of preference. The operational capacity of these facilities may fluctuate from time to time to facilitate refurbishment and new developments. Capacity is also reduced where a centre is required to make special arrangements to cater for a particularly difficult child.

My Department has commissioned an independent audit of the residential requirements for young offenders. The purpose of this audit is to ensure that there are sufficient residential places available to meet the needs of the target group in the short, medium and longer term. A consultant has been appointed and it is expected his report will be available early next year.

This Government's commitment to children at risk is evidenced by the measures contained in the Children Act, 2001. It proposes a modern statutory framework for the development of the juvenile justice system. In addition to updating the provisions relating to young persons who have been sentenced by the courts, including the obligations of the centres under the aegis of my Department, the legislation will provide for a wide range of early interventions and non-custodial alternatives to cater for children coming into conflict with the law or with serious care needs. It also provides for the establishment of the special residential services board. The special residential services board will work in close co-operation with all relevant bodies, to facilitate and ensure the efficient and co-ordinated delivery of services to children in respect of whom children detention orders or special care orders are made.