Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 May 1994

Vol. 442 No. 5

Written Answers. - Juvenile Crime Prevention.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

107 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice if she has satisfied herself that a wide range of services have been put in place which are needed to cope with the range of problems that give rise to juvenile crime as identified by the Oireachtas Committee on Juvenile Crime two years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Measures to prevent and combat juvenile crime are put in place by my Department on an ongoing basis. In relation to the Garda Síochana, the juvenile liaison scheme was reformed in 1991 and significant improvements were introduced. A juvenile diversion programme was established, the main purpose of which is to ensure that, where possible, juveniles would be cautioned rather than prosecuted.

I also announced funding recently, in the context of the crime fighting package, for a pilot scheme involving juvenile liaison officers and professional social workers to concentrate on the drug problems among juveniles at risk in Dublin.

As recommended in the report of the Joint Committee and the report of the Interdepartmental Group on Urban Crime and Disorder, the Garda Síochána has become involved in community-based projects. The GRAFT Project in Ronanstown and the KEY Project in Killinarden have been very successful in diverting young people away from crime. I have provided £100,000 in the crime fighting package in order to establish additional projects throughout the country.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Programme for Government contains the commitment "to introduce a modern Juvenile Justice Bill, as part of a comprehensive programme of criminal law reform" and I want to assure the Deputy that that commitment will be honoured. Some of the recommendations of the report of the Select Committee on Crime entitled "Juvenile Crime — its Causes and its Remedies" have significance for legislation and in that context they are being borne in mind in the preparation of the juvenile justice legislation.
As regards custodial measures for juveniles, it is my Department's policy to develop community-based options for the special needs of young persons coming into contact with the juvenile justice system. Towards this end, a number of hostels, workshops and day attendance facilities have been established under the aegis of my Department's Probation and Welfare Service to direct youngsters in trouble from a life of crime.
As the Deputy will be aware, a range of strategies are needed to cater for differing young persons who are "at risk". These strategies cover the care and control needs of the child which are the responsibility of a number of agencies and the Departments of Health, Education and Justice. My Department regards it as a priority to have effective arrangements in place between relevant agencies with a view to improving the community and residential options available to the courts. My Department is pursuing this through meetings and contact with Departments of Education and Health.
Top
Share