asked the Minister for Justice whether an increase in the manpower of the juvenile liaison section is under consideration; whether consideration has been given to the provision of specialised training for the personnel of this section; and if he will state the present manpower of the section and its distribution throughout the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Juvenile Liaison Section.
93.
The present strength of the juvenile liaison officers section is three sergeants, ten gardaí and two ban-ghardaí, fulltime, and nine gardaí and two banghardaí, part-time. The distribution is in the form of a tabular statement which with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
An examination of the working methods of juvenile liaison officers is at present in progress, and, pending completion of this examination, I am not in a position to say whether the strength of the section will be increased.
The training for the members consists of a two-week training course in Dublin, which was specially devised for the work.
Following is the statement:
Strength of Juvenile Liaison Officers Section.
|
Assigned to |
Sergeants |
Gardaí |
Ban-Ghardaí |
|
D.M.A. |
1 |
9 |
2 |
|
Cork |
1 |
1 |
1 (Part- time) |
|
Limerick |
1 |
— |
1 (do.) |
|
Waterford |
1 |
||
|
Clonmel |
1 (Part- time) |
||
|
Waterford |
1 |
||
|
Drogheda |
1 (do.) |
||
|
Dundalk |
1 (do.) |
||
|
Galway |
1 (do.) |
||
|
Kilkenny |
1 (do.) |
||
|
Sligo |
1 (do.) |
||
|
Tralee |
1 (do.) |
||
|
Wexford |
1 |
(do.) |
|
|
Total |
3 |
19 |
4 |
All juvenile liaison officers are under the overall charge of the Chief Crime Prevention Officer, Dublin Castle, who combines this assignment with his crime prevention duties.
Am I right in believing that this scheme is in operation only in Dublin and Cork?
No, It is in operation in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dundalk, Galway, Kilkenny, Sligo, Tralee, and Wexford.