Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I could not agree more with Senator O'Meara. The earlier the intervention the better. We must examine how best we move forward with intervention strategies. I could speak at length on this subject having been involved in this area for much of my career. I welcome the introduction of welfare conferencing by the Minister of State, which would involve probation officers, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, teachers, career guidance counsellors and juvenile liaison officers. Members of the community should also be involved as this is a community issue.

I read an article recently about a pilot project in operation in Nenagh in Senator O'Meara's county. The project is working very well and I congratulate the judge who took it upon himself to set it up. This proves the effectiveness of community involvement. The judge visited New Zealand and on his return he arranged a public meeting. He was responsible for involving members of the community, teachers and other key people in the Nenagh area. The project has an 85% success rate which proves that such projects can work if one gets the involvement of all the interested parties. We can throw all the money we like at projects but they will not work if we do not have the goodwill and backup of local people.

A Bill was introduced recently in regard to anti-social behaviour which involved juvenile liaison officers, local authorities and schools, which have a major role in the prevention of juvenile crime. There should be no doubt about the importance of involving schools, to which the Minister of State referred. Nobody is better placed than teachers to detect when problems arise.