James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

So far this year reports of assault have decreased against the same period last year, due in part to the increased restrictions of movements due to Covid-19. There has been a reduction in reported crimes against persons in the first two quarters of this year versus last year and according to the Central Statistics Office, in the first quarter the "assault causing harm" category fell 23.9% and in the second quarter it fell 16.9% when compared with the same periods in the previous year.

Of all knife crime, 16% is perpetrated by people between the ages of 12 and 17, whereas 28% is perpetrated by people between the ages of 18 and 23 and 21% is perpetrated by people between the ages of 24 and 29. This is very much an issue arising with younger people and it will be addressed with the new justice strategy to be published before the end of the year. I do not have the specific statistics for Cork to hand but I will endeavour to get them for the Deputy.

The matter of sentencing is always kept under review by the Department. If the view is taken that the process needs to be changed, that will be done.

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