Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The key point about detention is that it should be a measure of last resort. We are building a new facility because we do not want 16 and 17 year olds in St. Patrick's Institution but in an appropriate care centre.

Great care been taken with the design of that new building. International best evidence has been taken into account to ensure the mix the Deputy is describing is appropriately met and the facilities allow for the kind of integration needed for the young people, but also that they get the care and attention they need in a secure facility, and this is a secure facility. This is children being kept in detention. Every advanced country, including Ireland, is seeing a reduction in the numbers of children being detained, and I welcome that. Although there has been an increase in referrals from the courts in recent times, the overall trend is downward. As the Deputy rightly says, the young people who come to the attention of the care services and the detention services have very complex needs.

I am pleased to say that a care staff recruitment programme has been sanctioned by Government and will shortly commence in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, which will help to manage these young people. On the Deputy's question about when the campus manager will be appointed, the interviews have been held, the offer has been made and we are waiting to hear from the individual concerned, so it should happen very shortly, as will the legislation.

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