Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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650. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [4366/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The making of court orders is a function of the courts, which are, subject to the Constitution and the law, independent in the performance of their functions. I understand that further details in relation to the case have been sought and the Courts Service will then follow up directly with the Deputy if they can be of further assistance.

However, to be of immediate assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided the following information. Courts Service staff have reviewed the Court Minute Book records for the local court and the full year in question and found no reference to the person referred to by the Deputy having come before the Court. While there were references to orders made in cases entitled "application to commit to an Industrial School" made in January to June, none referred to the person concerned.

The Department of Education holds an archive of files relating to Industrial and Reformatory Schools, which consists of circa 500,000 records. The records relate solely to children who were committed to these schools following a court hearing. Children were also admitted to the schools in other ways, such as voluntary placements, placement by parent/s or guardians or placement by local Health Authorities.

Applications for such records held by the Department of Education can be made using the form at this website address: . Additionally, further information is available on the Department of Education website at .