James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I hear the concerns of the Deputy about this important issue of children being groomed by serious criminals. There is temptation if young people are promised easy money in the absence of alternative supports being in place. We must ensure there is a whole-of-government approach and not simply a theoretical approach. Appropriate interventions must be put in place on the ground to ensure that children are diverted from criminal activity and the required supports are put in place. That is partly what the youth justice strategy aims to do. It is not intended to deal simply with stand-alone interventions, but to ensure that everything is working together to provide those supports and direct people away from crime.

However, we must also tackle poverty. That is part of what gives rise to the temptation that attracts young people to crime. They are living in poverty and that is a major issue and part of the attraction of crime. Several interventions are needed, all working together, to tackle the issues the Deputy raised.

See this speech in context