143.— The following section is inserted in the Act of 2001 after section 156, but in Part 9:

“Transitional provision.

156A.— (1) Notwithstanding anything in Part 9, males aged 16 and 17 years sentenced to detention may be detained in Saint Patrick’s Institution or a place of detention until—

(a) places suitable for the admission of children of those ages become available for designation as children detention schools under section 160, or

(b) they have completed their period of detention.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), on or after the making of any such designation, any child serving a period of detention in Saint Patrick’s Institution or a place of detention may be transferred to such a designated children detention school.

(3) A male aged 16 or 17 years may be transferred from Saint Patrick’s Institution or a place of detention to a children detention school before such a designation is made and may later be transferred back to the Institution or place.

(4) A child who is serving a period of detention in St. Patrick’s Institution or place of detention shall not have his or her period of detention varied by reason only of a transfer under subsection (2) or (3).

(5) In this section, “place of detention” means a place of detention provided under section 2 of the Act of 1970.”.