asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the present working of the juvenile liaison officer scheme in Waterford; if it is intended to increase the Garda personnel involved in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Waterford Juvenile Liaison Scheme.
278.
The Commissioner has informed me that at present there is one juvenile liaison officer based in Waterford city and that he is concerned mainly with advising and supervising juvenile offenders who have been cautioned by the local superintendent as an alternative to being prosecuted.
I am informed that, arising from the greater involvement of the juvenile liaison officer in Waterford in youth work, it is intended to appoint two additional juvenile liaison officers in the area, one in Waterford city and one in Dungarvan. I understand that applications for these posts have now been received by the Garda authorities and that the appointments will be made in conjunction with similar appointments throughout the country.