Parliamentary Question: Juvenile Offenders

20th May 2003

373. Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the targets he has in relation to the provision of specialised detention units for juvenile offenders in pursuit of the full implementation of the Children Act 2001. [13593/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): Under the provisions of the Children Act 2001, I am obliged to provide separate, dedicated secure detention centres for the accommodation of 16 and 17 year old offenders. These secure detention centres, called children detention centres, will operate under their own unique regime which will cater specifically for the needs of juvenile offenders.

The provision of these facilities has been identified as a priority by the Irish Prison Service. As the Deputy is probably aware, I recently announced that I have accepted the recommendation of the Commissioners of Public Works that a proposed Irish Prison Service development at Newlands Villa, Clondalkin, including the construction of a children detention centre, should not now proceed. The identification of another site for the proposed juvenile detention centre is now being pursued by the Irish Prison Service in consultation with the Office of Public Works.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that pursuant to a Government decision of April 2002, it was the intention of the service to provide 20 spaces at St. Patrick's Institution for the custody and education of 14 and 15 year old boys but, following a review of accommodation requirements for juveniles, the possibility of moving directly to using the new facilities at St. Patrick's for 16 and 17 year old boys is now under consideration.