Written answers

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Child Detention Centres

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has had any discussion with the Health Information and Quality Authority regarding the next report on child detention conditions in view of the fact these reports are supposed to be carried out on an annual basis but the most recent one was published in November 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2193/15]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In accordance with section 185 of the Children Act 2001, the Health Information and Quality Authority have been authorised to undertaken inspections of the children detention schools, which are required to be undertaken at least once every 12 months. HIQA is independent in the exercise of its functions.

I can confirm to the Deputy that HIQA conducted their last inspection of the children detention schools in Oberstown between 28 October and 3 November 2014. Following on from these inspections, HIQA will issue a report in accordance with the agreed protocol entitled “Protocol for Health Information and Quality Authority Inspections of Children Detention Schools". The protocol is outlined in Appendix A of the Standards and Criteria for Children Detention Schools, which is available on the Irish Youth Justice Service website and I have asked my officials to forward this material to the Deputy. I am advised that the HIQA report on this recent inspection is expected in the near future.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

142. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the 16 boys reportedly being held in adult prisons; when these boys will be placed in more age-appropriate settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2196/15]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 16 January 2015, there were a total of 16 boys aged 17 years detained in the adult prison system, comprising 6 boys remanded in custody in St Patrick’s Institution and 10 boys serving a sentence of detention in Wheatfield Place of Detention.

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to end the practice of detainingchildren in adult prison facilities and significant progress has been made in this area. Responsibility for 16 year old boys was transferred from the adult prison system to the Oberstown campus in May 2012 and this commitment will be fully met when the extension of the Oberstown campus results in the transfer of responsibility for 17 year old boys from the adult prison system to the children detention schools. The Oberstown capital development project, which commenced on site in September 2013, will enable the extension of the child care model of detention, which focuses on education and rehabilitation in order to minimize re-offending, to all under 18 year olds ordered to be detained by the courts on criminal justice charges.

The first 3 units of residential accommodation, which will prioritise the transfer of responsibility for 17 year old boys from adult prison facilities, were formally handed over to the Oberstown campus on 27 November 2014, following the required inspection of works and technical approval of the Office of Public Works, managing the project on behalf of my Department. I am advised that, in order to ensure safe and secure custody of children in the new buildings and that the appropriate health and safety standards are met, a further period of training and orientation for staff and for the fitting out of the new units with furniture and equipment is required. This process is ongoing at present and will be completed in the first quarter of 2015.

Other issues impacting on the operational date for the transfer of responsibility for 17 year old boys are the recruitment of the required complement of new care staff to work in the expanded facilities, and the passage of necessary legislation to ensure that all legal issues relating to the detention of children up to the age of 18 are fully addressed. Following a recruitment programme carried out in 2014, 38 new care staff have commenced employment on the Oberstown campus and completed the training and orientation process. However, the recruitment programme had a target of 60 additional care staff and an additional process for a further phase of recruitment is currently under way. It is intended that the required staff complement will be reached in the second quarter of 2015 for the operation of all of the new residential units.

My Department is also progressing the necessary legal changes required in order to transfer responsibility for 17 year old boys from adult prison facilities. Heads of a Bill to amend the Children Act, 2001 were approved by Government in September 2014 and it is intended that the Bill will be published this quarter and enacted as soon as possible thereafter.

My Department is reviewing these matters on an ongoing basis and it is my intention that the practice of detaining children in adult prison facilities will cease as early as possible this year.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.