Updated 12.00

A Children's Court judge has told an official from the Department of Children that new beds for juvenile offenders need to be opened now.

Judge Ann Ryan has said it's not good enough for the government to be having audits and committee meetings when children who should be in detention are free in the community, perhaps to commit some awful crime.

Earlier, a spokesperson for the Minister for Children said Frances Fitzgerald would not attend the Children's Court today to explain a lack of custodial places for youths.

Last week, Judge Ann Ryan called on Minister Fitzgerald - or someone from her office - to attend the court, when it emerged that there was no place to detain a teenager facing a string of charges including drug dealing.

The boy, who is in his mid-teens had to be granted bail despite facing several allegations of motor theft in Dublin, as well as possession of 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 has said it's a problem for the courts if they need to detain a young person and there is no room for them.

Ann Ryan added that she had learned there is an eight-bed unit in one of the state's juvenile centres available, but it is not being used due to staffing problems.

She said Minister Fitzgerald had assured her matters would be dealt with - but it has now been going on for over two months.

Minister Fitzgerald is sending a representative from her office to court today.

Child Law Specialist with Gallagher Shatter Solicitors Catherine Ghent says the judge clearly wants answers: