asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda Juvenile Liaison Scheme is to be abolished; if the personnel at present operating the scheme are to be promoted; if there are plans to expand the scheme and to bring in new personnel to be promoted over the heads of existing staff; and if he will make a statement on these matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Juvenile Liaison Scheme.
53.
There is no intention of abolishing the Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer Scheme. Juvenile liaison officers, like all other members of the force, are considered for promotion in accordance with the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations.
The expansion of the Juvenile Liaison Officer Scheme is at present under consideration by the Commissioner and any promotions as a result of expansion will be in accordance with normal promotion procedures in the force.
Would the Minister consider appointing additional personnel to the new built-up areas throughout the country?
The operation of the Juvenile Liaison Officer Scheme has recently been reported on as a result of an analytical study. Some of the recommendations in that report include additional personnel in certain parts. The report is under examination by the Commissioner. Some of the matters have been accepted and are being implemented. Other matters are still under consideration but the Deputy can take it that in areas where there is a need for expansion of the scheme by and large it will be provided subject to the availability of manpower.
Would the Minister state on what date this scheme was initiated?
I have not that information.
I can refresh the Minister's memory. It was in 1961. Can the Minister tell the House how many officers were appointed at that time?
If the Deputy puts down a separate question, I will give him a reply. I have not that information here.
These are separate questions.
These are relevant supplementary questions. Can the Minister say how many juvenile liaison officers are serving at present?
There are 29 juvenile liaison officer posts.
How many have been filled?
The 29 have been filled.
Would the Minister admit that since he assumed office I have been pressing him to extend this scheme and that it took this outside report to galvanise him into activity? Could the Minister not give us some firm undertaking that this very valuable socially beneficial scheme will be adequately recognised by him and extended in the way it should have been extended long ago.
I am not aware that the Deputy has been pressing this. The only record of questions I have are from Deputies Gerard Collins, John O'Connell. Ben Briscoe and Gene Fitzgerald. I am also cognisant of the importance of the scheme and the Deputy need have no worry about my anxiety to see it extended. However, I wish it to be extended on a scientific basis and because of this desire we had the analytical study carried out. This was to ascertain the areas of greatest need and also the most pertinent way in which it could be extended. That report is being examined by the Commissioner and he will have my full encouragement in implementing its recommendations.
The Minister should not mislead the House in this way. One of the first questions I raised by way of supplementary question was in regard to this scheme in which I have a very real personal interest.