Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I only need a few minutes of that time, as I know the Minister is anxious to conclude this Stage of the Bill tonight.

I commend the Bill. The Joint Committee on Health and Children, which I chair, visited Oberstown yesterday. I want to put on the record my thanks to the staff there for the work they do.

This is a very important Bill, as Deputy Stanton said, not least because it is about young people - how we view and value young people who offend, and how on one campus we can ensure that three centres are amalgamated to cater for young people. I was very impressed with the campus, the quality of the build, the Office of Public Works' attention to detail and, in particular, the staff, not only the care staff but those in the education facility, and they work that they do there. I commend the principal, Martin Treacy, and his team on the work they do, and also Pat Bergin, the campus manager in Oberstown. It is one thing to have a new modern campus and to have a fine facility, but this is about empowering young people by giving them the capacity to be educated. I was very impressed by the staff's drive and initiative in getting young people studying for the junior certificate or the leaving certificate or taking a FETAC course. In terms of the new facility, it is important that the industrial relations and human resources issues are ironed out. I am conscious that 50% of the young people there are on remand, that there has been an increase in the number of assaults on staff and that there are issues around staffing. As Deputy Stanton said, it is important that the youth justice action plan is implemented.

I very much welcome the programme for Government initiative in implementing this legislation. The cost per annum of having a young person kept in Oberstown is one we cannot ignore. This should be about restorative justice in terms of rehabilitation and early intervention. This Bill is an important step in the right direction. I have much to say, but rather than delay the passage of the Bill through he House, I want to facilitate the Minister. I commend the Bill. I thank the staff in Oberstown for the work they do and hope this legislation will mark the start of a new day for young people in detention in our country.

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