Seán Power
Question:112 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Justice the studies, if any, that have been made available to her Department indicating the most common introduction to petty crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5221/96]
Written Answers. - Departmental Studies.
It is now accepted that the fundamental causes of crime must be tackled if we are to obtain a meaningful long-term reduction in the level of crime. A number of studies have been made by various agencies and groups setting out the links between juvenile crime and factors such as social disadvantage and unemployment.
This was particularly recognised by the report of the Interdepartmental Group on Urban Crime and Disorder. The proposition underlying the work of that group was that the causes of urban crime and disorder are quite complex and varied and that a police-law and order response, on its own, is not enough. The report concluded that an integrated multi-agency approach involving all sectors of the community provides the best possible response to this difficult problem. Many of the recommendations of that report have been and are continuing to be implemented.
I am developing proposals to pursue an idea from the report that a body should be set up to co-ordinate the provision of services and facilitate liaison on an ongoing basis so that the statutory and voluntary players can perform their role more effectively. I favour the establishment of a forum though I believe that, as well as involving the statutory and voluntary agencies, we should also seek to involve representatives of the community, business, trade unions and the professions.