asked the Minister for Justice the number of children in the Dublin metropolitan area under the supervision of the juvenile liaison officer scheme; the number of gardaí allocated to this scheme; and the system of training for such officers.
53.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Juvenile Liaison Officers.
52.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of officers specialising in youth liaison in Dublin; if any special training has been provided; and if any consideration has been given to increasing the number.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.
There are 12 members of the Garda Síochána engaged on juvenile liaison duties in Dublin—one sergeant, nine gardaí and two ban-ghardaí and there are 686 juveniles under their supervision. The commissioner is satisfied that the strength, which is kept under constant review, is adequate at present.
Each member receives two weeks on-the-job training when he or she joins the scheme.
The operation of the scheme itself is currently under consideration but it is too early as yet to say what effect this is likely to have as regards strength or training of juvenile liaison officers.