Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

348. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the development of the new National Child Detention School at Oberstown, County Dublin; when it is expected that all children will be removed from adult prison facilities and rehoused at this new facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10162/15]

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

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 to all under 18 year olds ordered to be detained by the courts on criminal justice charges. The first 5 units of new residential accommodation have been handed over to the Oberstown campus. In order to ensure safe and secure custody of children in the new buildings, and to meet the appropriate health and safety standards, a period of testing of new equipment and fittings and staff training is required. This process is continuing and is due to be completed shortly.

In order to transfer responsibility for all 17 year old boys, there is a need to employ the required complement of new care staff to work in the expanded facilities, and enact the necessary legislation to ensure that all legal issues are fully addressed. A campaign is ongoing to recruit over 60 new care staff for the operation of the expanded Oberstown campus and 38 staff have been recruited to date. My Department is also progressing the necessary legal changes required in order to transfer responsibility for 17 year old boys from adult prison facilities by amending the Children Act 2001. It is intended that the Bill to give effect to these amendments will be published as soon as possible and enacted without delay.

When these steps have been achieved the practice of detaining children in adult prison facilities will cease, as early as possible this year.