James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It will not be possible for me to answer all the questions raised in the short time remaining and to do justice to those who have raised issues. We can finish the Bill tomorrow. I thank the Members for their contributions. This Bill underpins significant initiatives and reforms that have taken place in recent years. It also has regard to the principle of equality of treatment between children in the detention schools and adults in adult prisons. I must emphasise, for the benefit of all, that a detention centre is very much a place of last resort when all other available avenues have been explored and utilised to the full in regard to community facilities and other interventions. The last place we want to see a child is in a detention centre, but sometimes that is the only action left open to the courts.

The Bill provides the necessary amendments to legislation to achieve the programme for Government commitment to end the practice of detaining children in adult facilities.

I will respond briefly to a number of points. The external recruitment process for new staff in Oberstown commenced in 2014 and is ongoing. A total of 40 care staff have been recruited and posts filled to date, with one more appointment to be made shortly. Revised offers of employment are in the process of being issued to a number of candidates at present, with a view to ensuring the maximum possible uptake and approving of staffing levels and to enable new facilities to be brought into full operation this year.

On the progress of the Children First legislation, Deputies will be aware that the Bill passed Committee Stage in May. It is my intention to bring the Bill to Report Stage in the future.

I commend the Bill to the House. I will address any outstanding issues by Deputies, which they are not happy have been fully addressed, on Committee Stage.

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