Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 2

Written Answers. - Foster Care of German Offenders.

Declan Bree

Ceist:

146 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that groups of German young offenders are being fostered to families in the Sligo/Leitrim area; the number of offences that have been committed in Sligo and Leitrim by these German nationals in each of the years 1993 to 1996; the number of these young people that have been prosecuted or cautioned by the gardaí; if her Department or the gardaí are aware of the number of the young offenders who returned to Germany following acts of vandalism committed in the Sligo and Leitrim area; if her Department and the gardaí are liaising with the North-Western Health Board regarding the fostering of young German offenders in Sligo/Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14867/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 14 offences committed by German youths have been recorded in the Sligo-Leitrim Division since 1993. Six German nationals have been cautioned under the terms of the Juvenile Diversion Programme: two in 1993, three in 1994 and one in 1995. None of the German nationals in question has been prosecuted. Two youths, who were involved in offences this year, have returned to Germany. It is understood that they will be returning to this jurisdiction in the near future and, if so, they will be dealt with under the Juvenile Diversion Programme.

The Garda continue to liaise with the North-Western Health Board with regard to the matter.