Vol. 518 No. 2
45 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give details of the restorative justice projects for juvenile offenders in Nenagh and Tallaght; the basis on which their effectiveness is being evaluated; the plans, if any, he has to extend such projects to other parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11130/00]
In 1999 my Department set up two restorative justice pilot projects for juvenile offenders in Nenagh, County Tipperary and Tallaght, County Dublin.
The Nenagh community reparation project is a development between representatives of the local community and the probation and welfare service of my Department. The Tallaght mediation service in partnership with the probation and welfare service has developed a six phase mediation model. Funding has been approved for both projects. A court may in certain circumstances consider remanding an offender following the establishment of guilt, to enable mediation between the victim and the offender to commence. The offender and victim must agree to participate in the mediation process. One key objective of the mediation process is to develop an agreement in relation to reparation to be made by the offender to the victim.
Both projects are innovatory. The aim of both projects is to increase the involvement of the community in positive activity to reduce crime and to minimise repeat offending by confronting the offender with the impact of the crime on the victim. The projects also aim to contribute to the creation of an environment for victims to have an input into the restorative aspects of justice.
