Cecilia Keaveney
Question:257 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, there are to expand the Juvenile Liaison Programme, JLO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2666/98]
Written Answers. - Juvenile Liaison Programme.
The Children Bill, 1996, which will deal primarily with juvenile justice matters, lapsed with the dissolution of the last Dáil. However, the Government has agreed to the restoration of the Bill to the Dáil Order Paper. This Bill proposed the placing of the Garda juvenile liaison programme on a statutory footing.
The Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed deployment of Garda personnel and resources inform me that the resources allocated to the juvenile liaison programme are continually reviewed in the light of the demands placed on the programme and their national juvenile office is currently examining the likely implications of enactments of the Bill. However, a response cannot be finalised until the Bill is published.