Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

While I am aware of the matters outlined by the Senator, I am not aware of the circular by the Tánaiste to which he referred. I assure him that decisions on this matter are not influenced by a decision taken in relation to Shanganagh. There is a requirement under the Children Act 2001 for a juvenile centre for young offenders aged between 16 and 21.

On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform I am happy to clarify this matter for the Senator. I commence by outlining the background and current status of the proposed development.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has responsibility for the provision of accommodation for young offenders aged between 16 and 21 years. The Children Act 2001 provides that boys and girls aged 16 to 17 years who are committed to custody by the courts either on remand or under sentence should be accommodated in separate detention facilities. To the extent that this measure was enacted through these Houses there was full consultation with Senator Brian Hayes in respect of this matter.

In late 2001 the Prison Service advertised for a suitable site for such detention facilities. On foot of this process, a total of around 40 locations were assessed and the site at Newlands on the Naas Road was found to be the most suitable of those examined. On that basis, a planning notice under part 9 of the Local Government Planning and Development Act 2000 was served in December 2002. This involved placing public advertisements as well as site notices regarding the proposed development. I emphasise, however, that this matter is not something on which any conclusive decision has been made.

The Minister has already clearly stated his position in this matter in reply to a number of questions in the Dáil last week and in his response to Deputy Paul Gogarty during the Adjournment debate last Thursday in the Dáil. There has been no change in the Minister's position since then but I am happy to restate it.