Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Projects.

Michael Bell

Question:

89 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of money his Department will spend in 1999 on early intervention initiatives by gardaí or others; the areas where the youth diversion projects are in operation; and his views on the success of these initiatives in view of the continuing problem of juvenile crime. [7230/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

My Department funds a number of Garda special projects which 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 24 such projects at an annual cost of approximately £50,000 each. A formal evaluation of these projects is currently being undertaken by the Children's Research Unit, Trinity College.

The projects are based in the following areas: Ronanstown, Tallaght, Moyross, Limerick, Knocknaheeney, Cork, Blanchardstown, Cherry Orchard, Ballybeg, Waterford, Mahon, Cork, Southill, Limerick, Darndale, Dundalk, Dublin North Inner city, The Glen, Cork, Finglas South, Donore Avenue, Hardwicke St, Kilcohan, Waterford, Bray, Loughlinstown/Ballybrack, O'Devaney Gardens, Phoenix Park area, Ballymun, Tralee, Sligo and Lower Ballyfermot.

In addition, the probation and welfare service of my Department is involved in, and runs, a number of community-based projects which cater for young offenders at risk of continuing in crime. These projects include workshops and day centres where offenders are provided with training in a number of skills. The purpose is to address offending behaviour, reduce recidivism and to assist such persons in gaining employment. A more recent development in the area of alternatives to imprisonment is intensive probation supervision. This is a special community based programme for serious or persistent offenders requiring a more intensive form of supervision. Participants on supervision orders from the courts may be referred to this scheme in place of a substantial custodial sentence, two years or more. An extra sum of £1 million has been allocated to the probation and welfare service in the 1999 budget for special juvenile projects.

The Garda juvenile diversion programme is an extra-statutory scheme to divert juveniles away from the judicial system, where possible. It provides for the cautioning and supervision of young offenders, aged 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 juvenile liaison officer deals 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.

In addition, the schools programme run by the Garda Síochána community relations section is an ongoing active programme throughout the country. The objective of this programme is to make young people aware of the dangers of involving themselves in crime generally and to promote a greater safety awareness among young people. The operation and implementation of the programme is part of Garda policy. Garda community relations section monitors its implementation, and more than 3,000 Garda personnel have been trained in the programme.