Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2004
104 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the membership and terms of reference of the task force on juvenile justice; when the committee is expected to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27269/04]
View answerThe Children Act 2001 provides a comprehensive statutory basis for responding to the needs of offending children, through a diversionary and restorative justice approach, and to the needs of non-offending children, who may be in need of special care or protection. In addition to its child welfare provisions, the Act establishes a sound legal framework for a modern juvenile justice system based on the underlying principle that there should be a suitable intervention for every child who commits an offence.
It is by its nature complex legislation and several Departments and their respective agencies are involved in its implementation. The National Children's Office co-ordinates this process. Considerable progress has been made to date in implementing the Act's provisions and detailed work is ongoing across the board to achieve the phased implementation of the remaining provisions.
There is, however, room for some fresh thinking about the institutional framework by which services in the youth justice area are delivered. I have recently set up a project team in my Department to examine the scope for rationalising and restructuring the delivery of the State's services, in accordance with the Children Act 2001, in the area of youth justice, focusing on the institutional framework with a view to improving outcomes in the area.
The team is headed by an assistant secretary and comprises five people in total at present. Further personnel will be attached to the team as and when required. The team will consult the relevant governmental and non-governmental actors in the area and will also evaluate relevant international developments. The Deputy will be interested to note that as part of the consultation process an advertisement calling for submissions appeared in the national newspapers earlier this week. I expect the team to report to me before summer next year.
It is important to stress that the Government's approach continues to be the philosophy underlying the Children Act 2001, namely, that prevention through early intervention is desirable, that detention should be a last resort and diversion and community sanctions should be available and used wherever appropriate, and that when detention is required it should be in an institutional environment that is educational rather than penal.
