The following section is inserted in the Act of 2001 after section 186:

"186A. Investigation of matters arising in relation to children detention schools, etc.

(1) Where -

(a) matters of concern in relation to a children detention school or place provided under section 161 are raised in a report of a person authorised under section 186 or otherwise, and

(b) the Minister is satisfied that it would be desirable to investigate those matters,

the Minister shall appoint a person (in this section referred to as an "Inspector") to investigate and report to him or her thereon.

(2) The Inspector shall carry out an investigation into the matters referred to in subsection (1) and such other matters relevant to them as he or she considers necessary for the purposes of the investigation.

(3) For those purposes, the Inspector may -

(a) enter any children detention school or place provided under section 161,

(b) examine the records, whether in legible or non-legible form, of the school or place, and

(c) interview members of the staff of the school, including the Director, and members of its board of management or, as the case may be, members of the staff and managers of the place.

(4) The Inspector -

(a) shall not be an employee of any children detention school which he or she inspects,