Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
555 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that the gardaí have the necessary powers to deal with the phenomenon of young persons begging on the street; if there are services to prevent the exploitation of these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48638/09]
View answerThe provisions of section 247 of the Children Act 2001, which provides that an offence is committed by a person causing, procuring or allowing a child to beg, are regularly utilised by members of An Garda Síochána in circumstances where children are being used by adults for the purposes of begging, and a number of arrests have been made under these provisions. Reports are also provided to the Health Service Executive, which is responsible for promoting the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection, in respect of each such incident, in compliance with the Children First Guidelines.
Gardaí have also, on occasion, used the provisions of section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991, which provides for the protection of children in emergency situations and under which a child can be brought into care without a care order, where a member of An Garda Síochána has reasonable grounds to believe that there is an immediate and serious risk to the health and welfare of the child.
