Vol. 491 No. 2
48 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will establish specialist youth strategy teams, composed of all relevant agencies, to intervene at an early stage with juvenile offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11508/98]
78 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure early intervention by the relevant authorities in ensuring that juvenile offenders are catered for adequately; the resources devoted to ensure effective intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11513/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 78 together.
The Garda Síochána are pro-actively involved in a number of schemes and initiatives which feature early intervention and are designed to divert young people in trouble with the law, or at serious risk of being so, from crime. These programmes require the interest and co-operation of families, and indeed the general community, and the Garda Síochána actively encourage this.
The Garda juvenile diversion programme is a non-statutory scheme designed to divert juveniles away from the judicial system, where possible. It provides for the cautioning and supervision of young offenders of 18 years or under as an alternative to prosecution. Under the scheme an attempt is made to see why the juvenile in question has offended and, where a problem is identified, the juvenile liaison officer refers the family to the appropriate statutory or voluntary agency with expertise in the matter. The JLO will deal with the offender as an individual, a member of a family and a member of the community. Even where the actions of a child do not amount to a criminal offence, parents-guardians regularly seek support and guidance from the Garda Síochána who will activate the scheme for the benefit of such children. There are currently in excess of 90 Garda personnel of various ranks directly involved in the operation of the Garda juvenile diversion programme on a daily basis.
The youth diversion projects funded by my Department are targeted at specific large, high density urban areas where there is a combination of a large young population, high unemployment and a lack of basic amenities. These community based, multi-agency projects have a very particular focus being directed at young people who are either involved in, or seen to be at risk of getting involved in, crime. The projects are also used to target juveniles who are likely to drop out of the education system prematurely, or are in need of emotional and developmental support due to family circumstances. My Department is currently funding 14 such projects at an annual cost of approximately £50,000 each and proposals for a number of further projects are under consideration.
My Department is also funding the "Copping On" crime awareness programme which is delivered through Youthreach. This programme provides at risk juveniles with a context in which they can challenge their offending behaviour. The programme involves training persons who work with young people as facilitators.
