Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and Senator Conway in his absence for putting down this motion and for giving me the opportunity to engage in the debate and to learn more about the issue. Restorative justice has a role to play in the justice system. Very strong arguments have been made by previous speakers. The Prison Service is very important but the cost is ¤65,000 for an individual prisoner for one year, while the cost of restorative justice is ¤3,500. That is an important element but it is not the "be all and end all". Senator Conway stated that 78% of those who engaged in the restorative justice process did not re-offend, which is extremely important. Up to 50% or more of prisoners do re-offend.

Obviously, this has a very important role to play in the justice system. I welcome the comments of the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, equality and mental health when she said that the Minister is engaging and ensuring that the directive will be put into place. I do not know whether that can be brought forward or not but the Minister's previous comments demonstrate his commitment to victims' rights and to ensuring their voice is heard. The directive, which was published in November 2012 and has been put in train, focuses on victims' rights. It states in this summary that restorative justice services should only be used if they are in the victim's interests. It is important that the victim be supported in every way. Information should be made available to them, for example, about how they can make complaints, as well as legal advice, information about compensation and contact details for communication about their cases and supports should be provided to them. It is important for the victim, it an individual or community, to be put at the centre. The directive is very supportive of victims, which is what one would expect.

Reading about restorative justice systems, which are available in many countries, I am struck by the type of issues that can be addressed from minor antisocial behaviour to serious crimes like assault and robbery. I am aware of a graffiti programme in Cork where Cork City Council and Cork County Council engage with the Probation Service. Dealing with graffiti under the Litter Pollution Act was very difficult for a long time. Local authorities did not have the resources but the Probation Service now works with local authorities in Cork very productively. It gives offenders an opportunity to make amends to their victims, among which in many cases is the community.

I have huge admiration for the Probation Service. The way it engages with prisoners and ensures they can be supported in re-establishing themselves in society is very important. Rehabilitation services within our prisons have also been mentioned. I had occasion to visit Cork Prison, which is a very bleak place. I am not questioning the fact that individuals are incarcerated in prison but the prison is bleak. It is an old grey building. One does not see any daylight, one cannot find one blade of grass or plant and a huge net covers the yard. It is not a very encouraging place to be and is not the best place in terms of rehabilitation. We need to do more in that area.

I compliment the gardaí on the work they do, particularly the community gardaí. I know previous speakers referred to them. We have a very successful programme in Cork involving the JPCs and from them have come community fora in different locations whereby gardaí are present and the community, public representatives and a range of officials from the local authority get together. It has been extremely successful. I attend three of them on a regular basis. The issues that have been dealt with by the local community, the gardaí and the local authority are wide-ranging. It has been very effective and has the support and confidence of the community. My opening point was that there is much that can be done in the area. One size does not fit all. I again commend Senator Conway and commend the motion to the House.