Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As far as I am concerned, this sort of behaviour is not and will not in future be ongoing. A new managerial team has been put in place in St. Patrick's Institution, and there is an important remit to ensure there is no repetition of any nature of any of the events depicted in this report. I have the assurance of the oversight of the inspector, Judge Reilly, who has done a fantastic job. He has indicated that he will make further reports to me when required and will continue to visit St. Patrick's Institution. It is my hope that the new management team will be effective in ensuring we do not see these types of events again. Some 60% of staff have been retrained and specific training has been provided for those at a management level. The remaining 40% will complete retraining in November. The old culture represented the borstals in Ireland but because of the immediate action we have taken and will take, it will be ended for all time. That is of the greatest importance.

I am conscious that I have not responded to some of the questions raised by Deputy Collins because of time limits. From the entire population of 200 in St. Patrick's Institution, there are 25 youths aged 17. With the construction of the new facility in Oberstown, it is envisaged that we will end the practice of having 17 year olds in St. Patrick's Institution. In or around the time this occurs, the intention is to effectively end using this facility for 18 year olds and 21 year olds. There will be better available facilities on completion of the extension to the Midlands Prison, with particularly good educational facilities there. There will also be good educational facilities in Wheatfield Prison. Ultimately, they will be the primary locations for that age group in the prison system, which is currently within St. Patrick's Institution. We are considering alternative uses for the institution.

I agree entirely with Deputy Collins with regard to community service. I have been encouraging the use of community service as an alternative where it is appropriate. We must be realistic with some of the people in St. Patrick's Institution. Tragically, some of the young people are very violent, and one of the great difficulties in the prison is that some of those sentenced and serving time in the prison are members of gangs. Prison officers, who have been working well, have a very difficult job in ensuring there is no violence within the prison, and some prisoners must have protection because they are under threat from other prisoners. It is not an easy environment and we should not pretend that it is.

There are difficulties in dealing with some young people and, as Judge Reilly notes, some are damaged young people. The fact that they are damaged does not mean the violence of which they are capable is not recognised. Some of them are in prison as a consequence of very violent crimes.

With regard to accountability for those who have misbehaved, I must be careful as Minister to say nothing that may prejudice any steps being taken. I have already referred to the fact that the new people appointed to provide an independent team addressing complaints or alleged misconduct, who will be in place from 1 November, will have a remit to examine complaints made to ensure they are properly investigated. I am advised that some officers within the institution are under investigation and I hope Deputies will forgive me if I say no more than that. I must not prejudice any possible outcomes, either in the disciplinary context within the Prison Service or in any other context.

I am not aware of any current Garda investigation into any of these matters. I do not wish to mislead Deputies in that context. If a complaint was made to An Garda Síochána, I am sure it will be investigated. Currently, it is a matter for a prison disciplinary process and the particular focus is to ensure a changed culture, a different environment and to see that people's human rights and dignity are properly respected.

There is a final matter.

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