Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I wish to extend seasons greetings to you, a Chathaoirligh, all the staff, the Leader of the House and all Members. As a new Member to the House, I appreciate all the help that has been forthcoming from everybody. It is very much appreciated. I also extend my good wishes to John McCabe.

I want to raise an issue of serious concern which has been raised in the House several times and on which we are not getting very far. It concerns the future of Shanganagh open centre for juveniles, specifically the future of the prison officers who have worked there for many years. The issue needs to be examined again in value for money terms. To consider closing down such a centre and spending money on a centre somewhere else would not represent good value for money for the taxpayer. We should invest the money in Shanganagh to provide the security measures about which the Minister appears so concerned and develop it into suitable accommodation. Will the Leader ask the Minister to reconsider this and take account of the concerns of the prison officers working in the centre?