Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 416: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his role in ending the practice of sending children to an institution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7550/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government states that we will end the practice of detaining children aged 16 and 17 years old in St. Patrick's Institution.

Responsibility for the development and provision of safe, secure accommodation for all children ordered to be detained by the Courts rests with the Irish Youth Justice Service, and this service will shortly come under the remit of my colleague Ms. Frances Fitzgerald TD, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

Construction of the National Children Detention Facilities is to take place over 2 phases, subject to Government approval. I understand that the tender documentation for the project will be completed later this year.