Juvenile Offenders.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004

Thursday, 24 June 2004

Questions (140)

Seán Crowe

Question:

140 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24, who is currently in custody in Oberstown House for a variety of offences; if the relevant Garda authorities contacted social services regarding this person as per the Children Act; the reason no social worker was assigned; if the Garda authorities stress the need, urgency and priority of outside intervention; if a case study has been carried out on the person and the problems with their family and environment; if a social worker has been assigned to their case and will this be followed through on their release; the steps that are being taken by him and outside agencies to rehabilitate this person and to address the underlying problems associated with this person and their family; and if the Department experiencing similar difficulties regarding social services dealing with troublesome minors. [18921/04]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person referred to by the Deputy was committed on remand from the Children's Court to Oberstown House on 11 May 2004, with, as I understand, another court appearance scheduled for 7 July 2004. As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the administration of Oberstown boys' school comes under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science.

With regard to the Deputy's reference to the Children Act, I presume he is referring to section 59 of the Children Act 2001 under which the gardaí are obliged to inform the health board of a child in custody on suspicion of committing an offence if they reasonably believe that the child is in need of care or protection. Section 59 of the Children Act 2001 has not, as yet, been commenced. Responsibility for the implementation of this section of the Act lies with the Department of Health and Children. The assignment of social workers is normally a matter for the relevant health board. I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda authorities have been in touch with personnel from the South Western Heath Board in relation to the welfare of the child in question and also have liased with the Traveller unit department in South Dublin County Council.

I can also inform the Deputy that this youth is already under the supervision of the Probation and Welfare Service having first been referred to that service by the courts over two years ago. I am also in a position to confirm that a case study has been carried out on this youth by the Probation and Welfare Service and the gardaí are aware of the Probation and Welfare Service involvement in this specific case.