Minister for Children officially opens new Girls Remand and Assessment Unit in Oberstown Girls School
Friday, 7 September 2007
Oberstown Girls School
Minister for Children, Brendan Smith T.D., today opened Cuan Beag, the newly refurbished Girls Remand and Assessment Unit at Oberstown, Lusk, Co. Dublin.
“The creation of this positive living and working environment is a tribute to the staff’s attention to detail and their dedication.” the Minister commented.
Cuan Beag has been fitted out to meet the needs of girls and young women. This was achieved successfully over the summer through a partnership approach with the Irish Youth Justice Service, management and staff.
“Oberstown Girls School is showing us the way forward and I see this as the beginning of our work to develop modern facilities across all the children detention schools.” the Minister said.
The name Cuan Beag means little harbour or haven. It was chosen by 2 girls in the long stay unit of Oberstown Girls School.
Since March 2007, girls under 18 years are no longer allowed to be ordered by the Courts to be detained in an adult prison. This will be extended to all children under 18 years following the development of the necessary children detention school places.
Responsibility for the Children Detention Schools transferred from the Department of Education and Science to the Irish Youth Justice Service on 1 March 2007.
ENDS
