Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 603: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of children under 18 years who are accommodated in a section (details supplied) in St. Patrick's Institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30412/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that, on 14 September 2009, there were 9 young offenders under 18 years accommodated on the D Division in St. Patrick's Institution. St Patrick's Institution is the designated detention centre for young male offenders aged between 16 and 21 years of age. In the long term the Irish Youth Justice Service will take responsibility for the detention facilities for all boys under 18 years.

In the interim the separation of children and young adults in St. Patrick's Institution has taken place in so far as is possible given the physical limitations of the St. Patrick's site. The Special School (B Division) was opened in April 2007 specifically for this purpose. It has a bed capacity of 44 and is self contained. Inmates aged 16 and 17 now have a residential area, communal dining area, and education, work training and recreational areas that are separate from young adults. This has created a separate and enhanced regime for them.

When the number of such prisoners exceeds 44, priority is given to the 16-year-olds. Those 17-year-olds who cannot be accommodated in the Special School are accommodated in the drug-free D Division of the main institution. A small number of 17-year-olds are kept in the young adult part of the institution because of their specific individual needs. These include sex offenders and vulnerable inmates who for their own protection are accommodated separately.

In March 2008, the Government approved the development of new national children detention facilities on the Oberstown campus near Lusk, Co. Dublin. This facility will accommodate all under 18 year olds who have been ordered to be detained by the Courts. The project is currently at the design stage and it is expected that the tendering process for construction should take place in 2010. Construction is expected to be undertaken in phases with the first phase scheduled to be completed by 2012. On completion of the first phase it is anticipated that any 16 or 17 year old male ordered to be detained by the Courts will no longer be detained in facilities under the aegis of the Irish Prison Service. The Deputy will be aware, however, that tendering for the construction of the new facilities will be subject to Government approval and to the necessary funding being made available.