Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to proceed with the development of Phase 1 of the new national children detention facilities at Oberstown, Lusk, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19828/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the development of the new National Children Detention Facilities will shortly fall under the remit of my colleague Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. It is a commitment in the Programme for Government that we will end the practice of detaining 16 and 17 year old males in St. Patrick's Institution. The Irish Youth Justice Service has engaged with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to design the necessary facilities to accommodate all under 18 year olds who are ordered to be detained by the Courts in relation to criminal matters.

Concept and sketch designs have been completed and the necessary planning permission is in place. Currently, the OPW is in the process of preparing the required tender documentation for the project. As the Deputy is aware the Government is currently undertaking a review of capital projects across all Departments. The Government's decision on the funding for this project will be informed by the outcome of this review.