Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and location of all detention places for young offenders; the average monthly occupancy rate in each facility for the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the adequacy of the number of such places. [16203/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to offenders under the age of 18 who are detained by Order of the Courts.

There are 5 places of detention for young offenders aged under 18 years of age in the State. There are 4 Children Detention Schools which come under the remit of the Irish Youth Justice Service, namely Oberstown Boys School, Oberstown Girls School and Trinity House School at Oberstown Campus, Lusk, Co. Dublin and Finglas Child and Adolescent Centre at Finglas, Dublin 11. Boys aged 16-17 years old are currently detained in St. Patrick's Institution, North Circular Road, Dublin 7, which is under the remit of the Irish Prison Service.

The certified maximum capacity and average monthly occupancy rate in 2008, (the latest period for which figures are readily available) in the 4 Children Detention Schools were as follows:

St. Patrick's Institution is a closed medium security place of detention which houses males aged 16 to 21 years of age and has a bed capacity of 216. Juvenile offenders are defined as those aged 16 years but under 18 years of age.

The figures for the average monthly occupancy rate for this facility for the past twelve months are currently being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as they become available.

I am satisfied that the capacity of the facilities is adequate and meets the needs of the Courts.