Michael Bell
Ceist:239 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the legislative proposals he will bring forward to impose a curfew on young offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25745/00]
Written Answers. - Young Offenders.
The Children Bill, 1999, which is at present awaiting Committee Stage before the Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, provides a statutory basis for the imposition of curfews on young offenders. Section 133 of the Bill gives the courts power to order that a child whom it has found guilty of an offence be at a particular residence at any times between 7.00 pm and 6.00 am the following morning or that a child stay away from any specified premises, place or locality during specified days or between specified times. The Garda can call at the residence at which the child must be for the purpose of establishing that the child is present there at the relevant time.
The Bill also provides for the possibility of curfews as a condition of the grant of temporary leave from children detention schools. In addition, curfews could form part of the action plan which may be formulated under the restorative conferencing provisions of the Bill.