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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - Families with Violent Children.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

126 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give details of the measures, if any, he has taken to help families with violent children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3207/98]

As the Deputy will be aware my responsibility with regard to violent children is, in the main, directed towards children who are in trouble with the law or at serious risk of being so. I do not have primary responsibility generally, for assisting families who have violent children. The Garda Síochána through the community policing initiative, the juvenile liaison scheme, juvenile diversion projects and the Garda schools programme try to lead such children away from wrong doing. These programmes will often require the interest and co-operation of families and indeed the general community and the Garda Síochána actively encourage this.

The juvenile liaison scheme is an extra-statutory scheme operated by the gardai to divert juveniles away from the judicial system, where possible. It provides for the cautioning and supervision of young offenders of 18 years or under as an alternative to prosecution. Under the juvenile liaison scheme an attempt is made to see why the juvenile in question has offended and where a problem is identified the juvenile liaison officer (JLO) refers the family to the appropriate statutory or voluntary organisation with expertise in the matter. The JLO will deal with the offender as an individual, a member of a family and a member of the community. Even where the actions of a child do not amount to a criminal offence parents-guardians regularly seek support and guidance from the Garda Síochána who will activate the scheme for the benefit of such children.

The juvenile diversion projects funded by my Department are targeted at specific large high density urban areas where there is a combination of a large young population, high unemployment and a lack of basic amenities. The projects have a very particular focus being directed at young people who are either involved in or seen to be at risk of getting involved in crime. The projects are also used to target juveniles who are likely to drop out of the education system prematurely or are in need of emotional and developmental support due to family circumstances.

The Garda schools programme is specifically designed for fifth class primary school pupils and involves a series of presentations by gardaí aimed at teaching children sensible and responsible patterns of behaviour. The intention of these various measures is that the "caution" rather than prosecution option is pursued to the fullest extent possible by the Garda Síochána.
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