Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016
895. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of incidents in respect of which rehabilitative support has been offered to and taken up by juvenile offenders in each of the past three years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24050/16]
View answerIt is important to note that a range of rehabilitative supports is offered to every child entering the children detention school as part of an overall programme, focused on their individual needs. The extent to which each child avails of these services depends on the individual profile in each case.
On admission, every child is assigned a specific member of staff who acts as the child’s "keyworker". The focus is on developing supportive relationships with the main emphasis placed on education and rehabilitation rather than on control and security. Each child is screened to determine any clinical services required, such as psychology, psychiatry or speech and language therapy. A “Placement Plan” is developed and reviewed at regular intervals during each child’s stay in detention. This ensures that all relevant supports that may be available in the community on a child’s release are put in place. The plan identifies responses to the identified needs of a child on release and names persons willing to assist in the rehabilitative process.
In addition, a strong ethos of school attendance, education and training is in place in the children detention schools, tailored to each child's needs. Education and training services are provided by the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board.
The key principles of the Children Act 2001 are that detention of a child should only be imposed as a last resort. Among the other options that may be considered are the programmes provided by the Probation Service and Garda Youth Diversion Programme. From the most recent data currently available, the effectiveness of this policy can be gauged when one sees that in 2013 a total of 10,420 young people were referred to the Garda Diversion Programme and a total of 106 children either remanded or sentenced to a period of detention in the children detention schools. In 2014, 9,991 children were referred to the Garda Diversion Programme and a total of 142 children were either remanded or sentenced to a period of detention in the children detention schools. This would indicate that when all children in contact with the criminal justice system are considered, there is an emphasis on the promotion of non-custodial options as a first priority.
