Ms Olivia Keaveney:

I thank Deputy Daly for his questions. The Probation Service has established a region specifically to work with young people who are before the courts. We fulfil the statutory obligations of the Children Act 2001, which it is important to say is very much in the spirit of diversion of young people at all stages away from the criminal justice system and from conviction and detention. We work directly with young people using a very individualised approach. Within that, we also engage with the family. To respond to one of Senator Ruane's questions, we also engage with siblings and we can signpost to appropriate services if there is a recognition that siblings in a family may be on the trajectory of moving into the criminal justice system. We would be in support of early interventions.

In terms of fear, that is an issue for young people. It can be perceived that they are up to something when they are simply passing the time. Some of the victimisation studies that were released by the CSO indicate that there is a perception that people in what are classified as disadvantaged areas are more at risk and that their safety is compromised by them being residents in those particular communities.