asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider the introduction of a scheme whereby juvenile delinquents would be assigned to secure family homes, under proper supervision, with a view to ascertaining whether rehabilitation in such an environment was possible, as an alternative to highly expensive security incarceration in prisons; and if he has any evidence to suggest that there would be support for such a scheme among the public.
Written Answers . - Juvenile Delinquents .
336.
: As the Deputy may be aware, the long-awaited report of the Task Force on Child Care, established in 1974, has just been presented to the Minister for Health. Obviously any review of the law and procedure in relation to what the Deputy terms juvenile delinquents should begin with an evaluation of the proposals in the report.
I might mention that existing legislation, including the much criticised Children Act, 1908, gives the courts power to direct that a child or young person who is charged with or convicted of an offence reside either with a particular person or in a particular place.
A number of probation hostels have been provided by my Department and are operated by voluntary committees in association with the probation and welfare service. Young offenders whose home circumstances and environment are such as to militate against their chances of success while on probation can be directed by the court to reside in a hostel as a condition of their probation. The hostels are managed by house parents, that is by a husband and wife residing in the hostel who provide family atmosphere and stable environment. The intention is to provide more of these hostels.