Vol. 440 No. 2
8 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice the steps, if any, that have been taken to implement the commitment given in the Programme for a Partnership Government, 1993-1997, to further enhance and expand the Garda juvenile liaison service and the further development of programmes to divert potential young offenders away from crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
14 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her views on whether the juvenile liaison service has sufficient resources to meet its requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
53 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Justice her views on the present instructions to the Garda in the document Policy of An Garda Síochána in respect of Juvenile Offenders and Guidelines for the Implementation of Procedures in Dealing with Juvenile Offenders which prevents the Garda from arresting juveniles who are misbehaving; and if warnings are sufficient for those who are determined to make life unbearable for others.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 14, and 53 together.
I regard programmes which help to divert young people away from crime as an essential part of the criminal justice system today. One such programme is organised under the Garda National Juvenile Office which operates the Garda juvenile diversion programme, JLO scheme, as well as the Garda schools programme. Another development is the funding by my Department of community-based initiatives in areas of disadvantage through local community-based bodies established for such purpose. This funding can be channelled through the Garda Síochána or through the Probation and Welfare Service.
In so far as the juvenile liaison service is concerned, the service should be upgraded in line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government. I see this matter developing as more gardaí are recruited to the force and as a result of the ongoing civilianisation of the force, both of which measures form an essential feature of the law and order programme outlined by me on 14 December last.
The first major improvements to the JLO scheme since its inception in 1963 were made in 1991 and other initiatives have since been introduced to further involve members of the Garda Síochána with the young people in the communities in which they serve. As Deputies know, the changes were quite extensive.
In so far as crime diversion programmes are concerned, I can inform the House that the Garda are involved in a number of community-based projects aimed at identifying young people at risk and attempting to divert them from crime by developing their social skills and improving their self-esteem. These include the GRAFT project in Ronanstown, the KEY project in Killinarden, the WHAD project in Cherry Orchard and the Outreach project in Limerick.
I have been heartened by the success of these youth diversion projects to date and I was glad to announce recently, as part of my package of law and order measures, further funding to increase Garda participation in these type of community based projects in Knocknaheeny-Holyhill, Cork, and Moyross, Limerick, in line with the findings of the Inter-departmental Group on Urban Crime and Disorder and as promised in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
I also announced recently, in line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, a proposal to employ two social workers to coach selected JLOs in drugs counselling and related work. Generally I would like to see a development of the work of the JLOs in the area of drugs, and this is an aspect that I intend to explore further with the Garda Commissioner.
With regard to Deputy Browne's question, I would like to assure him that the JLO scheme does not prevent a garda from arresting juveniles who break the law and processing their cases through the courts. The scheme does, however, provide for the cautioning and supervision of young offenders under the age of 18 years as an alternative to prosecution provided the juvenile admits the offence and the parents or guardians agree to co-operate in the implementation of the diversion programme. The views of the injured party are also taken into consideration. If a juvenile fails to comply with the terms of the diversion programme he/she may be prosecuted in the normal way. The JLO scheme has been very effective to date and approximately 89 per cent of juveniles cautioned have not reoffended within their supervisory period.
I will be introducing a juvenile justice Bill later this year which will repeal the 1908 Children Act and will also include a provision to put the JLO scheme on a statutory footing.
What is the current number of gardaí engaged in the juvenile liaison service and the numbers planned under the expansion? Is it the case that the number of gardaí enganged in the juvenile liaison service still constitutes approximately 1 per cent of the entire force, whereas the number of crimes committed by juveniles accounts for approximately half of all crimes for which convictions are secured? Will the Minister confirm that the money made available by her in the recent package for community-based initiatives which will divert young people away from crime was less than the average amount of money required to provide one additional prison place under the same scheme? Does the Minister consider it is time to have a radical rethink of the way in which resources are applied to the prevention of crime rather than simply towards its control or to punishment?
There are 80 juvenile liaison officers throughout the country, 37 of whom are based in the Dublin metropolitan area and there are no plans to increase their number. In relation to the amount of money being spent on community based initiatives, this is a new idea as the Deputy is aware. It is one that has been evaluated and which my Department and its officials, in particular the officials working in the probation and welfare area of the Department, feel strongly should be supported in a positive way. Because of that I secured additional funding this year and two additional projects, one in Knocknaheeny-Holyhill in Cork and the other in Moyross in Limerick, have already been announced. I am considering a number of projects in other areas throughout the country and they will be provided within the funds available. There are never enough funds but I agree that more investment in community based initiatives can provide sound alternatives for young people, particularly juveniles, who can be supervised in a positive way by the Probation and Welfare Service. During my term as Minister for Justice I will try to secure from the Department of Finance increased funding for that area of development within the Department.
I am concerned that there are no plans to increase the number of juvenile liaison officers. Will the Minister agree that given the success of the juvenile liaison scheme — and she mentioned an 89 per cent referral figure — the number of juvenile liaison officers should be substantially increased? Will she also agree that was the intention in the Programme for Government and give an indication that the number of juvenile liaison officers will be increased to lift the enormous burden already on the juvenile liaison service?
I am sorry if I misled the Deputy. I said there were no plans at present to expand the juvenile liaison scheme but of course with additional recruitment and the civilianisation of certain aspects of the work of the force, more gardaí will become available for this type of work which is worth developing in all areas of the country.
