Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising those very important points. I wish to assure him that the delivery of child detention services is very much focused on education and rehabilitation of those involved and those in detention. This is in order to minimise re-offending and to support the early re-integration into the community.

A number of criteria have been taken into account in assessing the level of management risk with each child in detention, including their age, the medical and mental health background, the availability of family supports, the level of educational attainment and the history of criminal offending. These factors are recorded when a child is admitted to the campus and they are factored into an individualised management plan in each case.

Only yesterday I attended an event organised by Business in the Community, a group which seeks sponsorship from industry in order to ensure an element of re-integration, employment opportunities, education and training. I wish to acknowledge the contribution of Business in the Community in partnership with other agencies. I assure the Deputy of the importance of the issues raised by him and he can be assured that these factors will be fully taken into account in the context of the individualised file or management plan for each child detainee.

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