Vol. 399 No. 1
69 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the full extent of facilities available to juvenile liaison officers; if adequate back-up facilities are available at present; if there is any way this service could be improved; if travel or subsistence allowances are available; if so, to what extent; if there is sufficient reference to his Department and the health boards in regard to the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Juvenile liaison officers are members of the Garda Síochána and I am informed by the Garda authorities that the facilities necessary for the proper functioning of the juvenile liaison officer scheme are being afforded to it. Juvenile liaison officers are provided with separate office accommodation at the Garda stations to which they are attached and the stations' clerical and other back-up services are available to them. They maintain contact with social service agencies and health boards as appropriate. Juvenile liaison officers are paid an allowance and they are entitled to travel and subsistence allowances on the same basis as other members of the Garda Síochána.
The report of a working party which was set up by the Garda authorities to review the operation of the juvenile liaison officer scheme is currently being considered by the Garda authorities. The question of whether any modifications should be made to the scheme will be considered in the light of this review.
