John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan. I am pleased to have a chance to debate this issue. I support the Labour Party motion. I agree with most of the sentiments expressed on this side of the House, particularly the views of Senator Ryan on the problems of young offenders. His point about child poverty was correct. That is the single biggest contributory factor to the problem of young offenders. The greatest role the Government can play is to reduce the number of children who find themselves in those situations. Comparative poverty is still a problem in this country. Many children live close to the poverty line despite the economic success we have had in recent years. As we face into the Estimates tomorrow, and with the budget imminent, it is apt that more funding would be found in this area.

I echo the sentiments of my colleague, Senator Cummins, on the subject of restorative justice. I did not hear the full contribution of the Minister of State but I understand he outlined that an element of this provision in the Children Act had been implemented. I do not see any evidence of that in my immediate area. This is something which should be pursued. Placing children in detention facilities should be the last resort.

Examining restorative justice would be a much more beneficial path to take in terms of the future development of the children in question.

I refer to the Children Act about which the Minister of State spoke to my colleague, Senator Cummins, last year. There is a delay between offences being committed and something being done about them, whether in the courts or elsewhere. For the offender to appreciate he or she is being punished for committing an offence, it is essential action is taken as close as possible to the time the offence is committed. That is not happening and I urge that whatever steps are necessary be taken to ensure that happens.