The number of cases referred to the Probation and Welfare Service by the courts has increased steadily in recent years and I wish to advise the Deputy that I am aware that the Probation and Welfare Service is not in a position at present to meet all the demands made upon it. It was with this and other developments in mind that I established an expert group towards the end of last year to examine the role of the Probation and Welfare Service having regard to recent and current developments; the needs of the service, in the context of its proper role, to deliver an effective and efficient service and the organisational status of the service; and to make recommendations.
I am now in receipt of the expert group's first report. I am considering the group's recommendations and I hope to publish the report shortly.
In relation to the juvenile diversion programme, to which I presume the Deputy is referring, juvenile offenders who meet certain conditions may be dealt with under the Garda juvenile diversion programme, juvenile liaison scheme, as an alternative to prosecution.
The programme commenced in 1963 and following a review by a working party a number of procedural changes were introduced in 1991 and the national juvenile office was established. The primary aim of the programme is crime prevention.
The programme is under constant review and assessment in all respects, including resources, staffing and administrative procedures. Adjustments within the programme take place whenever and wherever appropriate.
The Children Bill, 1996, when enacted will place the operation of the Garda juvenile diversion programme on a statutory footing. The Bill also includes provision for the holding of family conferences as part of the programme to be held in a Garda station convenient to the persons attending, or in the offender's home or in exceptional circumstances some other place. The convening of a family conference would allow the offender's problems to be aired and a programme of corrective measures to be suggested, in the presence of the offender, his or her parents, wider family members, health board officials and others interested in the offender's welfare. The victim of the offence committed by the offender would in some cases also attend the conference.
In the light of the above developments the national juvenile office is currently examining the implications of enactment of the Bill and will report to the Commissioner in due course.
