Vol. 572 No. 4
112 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total number of juvenile liaison officers in the Garda at the latest date for which figures are available; his plans to extend the scheme in view of the proven success of it in dealing with juvenile offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23376/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 13 October 2003, there were 98 juvenile liaison officers within the Garda Síochána, of whom four are engaged in administrative duties at the national juvenile office, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda juvenile diversion programme was established on a statutory basis in May 2002 under the Children Act 2001. The Act introduced the concept of restorative justice and family conferencing into the criminal justice system, and these provisions are currently being implemented by the Garda Síochána. The Garda authorities are currently reviewing the resource implications arising from the implementation of these provisions.
