Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is good news that we are at the stage at which work is ready to get under way at the Oberstown site. I welcome the Minister’s indication that she intends to introduce legislation to merge the three existing child detention schools into a single legal entity. At what stage is the preparation of this legislation? When will the appointment of the campus manager be made?

I raised this matter with the Minister before the summer recess. While I welcome the information she gave us today, I must raise the issue of disruptive young people in these centres. Within the plans for the Oberstown development, will a unit be designated to deal with difficult cases of disruptive young people?

There is a significant and marked difference between a 13 year old and a 17 year old. Will the new centre be arranged so that there will be a suitable mix of ages?

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