Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2013
411. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which her Department can engage with juvenile offenders with a view to rehabilitative or educational supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48303/13]
View answerThe Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) in my Department is responsible for leading and driving reform in the youth justice area by focusing on diversion and rehabilitation, including greater use of community-based interventions, promotion of initiatives to deal with young people who offend, providing a safe and secure environment for detained young people and supporting their early re-integration into the community.
Since the 1 January 2012 the IYJS has been based in my Department and operates across two Departments, my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality and is staffed by officials from both Departments.
The main legislation covering youth justice is the Children Act, 2001. Responsibility for the Children Act, 2001 is shared between the Minister for Justice and Equality and myself.
I am responsible for the 3 Children Detention Schools at Oberstown, Lusk, Co. Dublin which provide detention places to the Courts for girls up to the age of 18 years and boys up to the age of 17 years ordered to be remanded or committed on criminal charges. I am also responsible for the child care aspects of the Children Act, 2001.
I see the role of my Department as working in an integrated way to develop strong linkages between early prevention and intervention, developing closer working relationships between the care system and the justice system with the main focus of keeping children out of the criminal justice system.
For those young people whose behaviour has unfortunately led to their involvement in the youth justice system and ultimately to detention, we must provide a safe and secure environment and support their early re-integration into the community.
The principal object of the Children Detention Schools, as outlined in the Children Act 2001, mandates the provision of appropriate educational, training and other programmes which promote the reintegration of the young people back into society and promote general life skills.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Assessment, Consultation and Therapy Service, known as ACTS, is now in place on the Oberstown campus with mental health screening training for staff having commenced recently. This means that the Oberstown campus is now in a position to provide a more comprehensive service to young people remanded or committed by the Courts.
IYJS works in tandem with the Department of Education and Skills and the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, to provide the necessary and vital educational services based on the ‘Education Strategy for the Children Detention School Service 2010-2013’. It seeks to promote a whole child/whole system approach to focus on better outcomes for these children and their families.
My Department also provides in the region of €53m to support the provision of quality youth provision throughout the country. This funding supports the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund and the Local Drugs Task Force Projects.
The establishment of my Department has led to a stronger focus on issues affecting children. The care and welfare of children is at the centre of my political responsibility as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the forthcoming establishment of the Child and Family Agency will further strengthen the focus on delivering safe and effective services for children and families who need a wide continuum of supports and interventions.
