Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position with regard to the development of the new national child detention facility for young offenders at Lusk, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7680/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In March 2008, the Government approved the development of new national children detention facilities on the Oberstown campus near Lusk, Co. Dublin. The Government decision was informed by the report of the Expert Group on Children Detention Schools, which is available on www.iyjs.ie.

The project will be delivered by the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS), an executive office in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which has responsibility for a wide range of youth justice matters including the children detention schools. In preparing for the development, in line with Department of Finance guidelines for capital projects and with good practice, the IYJS has established a Project Board to ensure robust governance and accountability are in place. Advice and supports for this project are being provided to the Irish Youth Justice Service from a number of sources, including the Chief State's Solicitors Office and the National Development Finance Agency.

The Office of Public Works has been charged with designing the new facilities and that office is currently liaising with the IYJS and with management and staff of the children detention schools with regard to concept drawings which will be further developed in order to tender for the construction element of the project. Construction will take place over two phases in order to ensure that the existing detention schools can continue to operate and provide places to the Courts until such time as the new facilities are available. Phase 1 of the project is expected to be completed in 2012 and Phase 2 in 2014. The cost involved for the project will be met from National Development Plan/Exchequer sources. I am happy to say that the Government has made adequate capital provision in the 2009 Estimates to progress this project.