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Minister Fitzgerald extends Childrens Ombudsman's remit to cover St. Patrick's Institution
Move marks next step in Minister's reform agenda for child detention
Children & Youth Affairs Minister Frances Fitzgerald has announced that in conjunction with her colleague Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence, she has extended the remit of the Ombudsman for Children to cover St. Patrick's Institution. Minister Fitzgerald and Minister Shatter this week signed an order confirming the extension of remit.
Minister Fitzgerald stated:
"This move marks the next step in the Government's reform agenda for child detention. Last month saw an end to 16 year old new entrants being detained in St. Patrick's ahead of the development of new child detention facilities at Oberstown, which will mean an end to the detention of all 16 & 17 year olds in St. Patrick's. In the interim, I want to ensure that those children still detained in St. Patrick's are done so with the fullest regards to their rights and needs as children, including their educational needs. Giving the Children's Ombudsman oversight of St. Patrick's does this. I wish to acknowledge the full support I have received from my colleague Minister Shatter."