Thomas P. Broughan
Question:37 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his response to the key recommendations of the report of the National Crime Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3049/99]
Vol. 499 No. 5
37 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his response to the key recommendations of the report of the National Crime Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3049/99]
The National Crime Forum represented, in my opinion, a unique consultation process for the Government, the Department and the criminal justice system. The report touches on many issues and makes recommendations on the establishment and composition of a crime council. In regard to that specific recommendation, I have already signalled my intention to establish a crime council and the forum's proposals for the framework for a council are under urgent consideration in my Department with a view to its establishment at an early date.
The forum's views provide a valuable base to inform policy in the general criminal justice area and indeed takes forward some of the sentiments expressed in the Department's "Tackling Crime" discussion paper. While these views are currently being examined by my Department, there are a few specific aspects I would like to mention at this stage. The forum's views as regards the need for research to assist policy formulation are something I fully subscribe to. As recently as 1997, no funding was provided for this basic need in the then Department of Justice. Since taking up office, I am pleased to say that no less than 15 projects are under way and that a sum of £400,000 has been allocated to the research budget for the current year.
The report of the forum also highlighted the problems faced by victims of crime. We must never forget that the victim is at the heart of the crime. I am pleased that my Department is making over £650,000 available to the Association for Victim Support to continue its good work in 1999.
I would like to inform the House of a number of developments which have happened since the report was published.
The report stresses the need to prevent young people from getting caught up in the cycle of crime. This year will see a major expansion in the network of Garda special projects funded by my Department, which will increase the number of these projects from 14 to 24. These innovative projects are becomingly increasingly important in the context of developments in juvenile justice which involve a partnership approach between State agencies, the voluntary sector and the community to tackle the multiple problems faced by young people deemed at risk of getting in trouble with the law.