Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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65. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently in adult prisons; the reason they remain in inappropriate facilities; the steps being taken to end this situation; the date it is expected that this will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6803/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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It is Government Policy to end the practice of detaining children in adult facilities. Currently all children, other than 17 year old boys serving a sentence, are referred by the Courts to Oberstown Children Detention Campus (the Campus); 17 year old boys who are serving a sentence of detention are currently detained in Wheatfield Place of Detention. Currently (as of 8 February 2017) there are seven young people (aged 17 years) detained in Wheatfield Place of Detention.

When the requisite number of places are available, following the completion of works required following a serious incident on the Campus in late August 2016, 17 year old boys who are serving a sentence will be referred to the Campus.

It is hoped that the Campus will be in a position to accept the 17 year old boys serving a sentence at an early date which will end the practice of any children being detained in adult facilities.