Fitzgerald called to Children's Court to explain juvenile detention centre issues

The Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald has been asked to attend a sitting of the Children's Court today to explain the lack of spaces available in juvenile detention centres.

Last week Judge Ann Ryan asked the minister or someone from her office to provide an explanation about the lack of custodial places for children.

She said it is a problem for the courts if they need to detain a young person and there is no room for them.

Judge Ryan made her remarks last week when it emerged that there was no place to detain a teenager facing a string of charges including heroin dealing.

The boy, who is in his mid-teens had to be granted bail despite facing several allegations of motor theft in Dublin.

He was also accused of possessing stolen car keys, criminal damage and possession of heroin for sale or supply.

The defence conceded he had an appalling history of warrants and 'habitually broke bail condition and did not turn up to court'.

The judge said she had learned there is an eight-bed unit in one of the states juvenile centres available but it is not being used due to staffing problems.

She said the Children's minister had assured her matters would be dealt with - but it has now been going on for over two months.