Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase the number of juvenile liaison officers in view of the proven success in dealing with juvenile offenders and the increasing burden that is expected to be placed on them following the enactment of the juvenile justice sections of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36278/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the date when the review on the issue of additional juvenile liaison officers was completed; and the number of such additional officers recommended in the review. [36364/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 184 together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that at present, there are 87 Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers and 8 Juvenile Liaison Officer Sergeants working in various Divisions throughout the country. In addition to this, the National Juvenile Office has a staff of 1 Superintendent (the Director of Diversion Programme), 1 Inspector and 2 Sergeants.

JLOs are responsible for implementing the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme, which provides an opportunity to divert juvenile offenders from criminal activity. The Programme provides that, in certain circumstances, a juvenile under 18 years of age, who freely accepts responsibility for a criminal incident, may be cautioned as an alternative to prosecution. The Criminal Justice Act 2006 provides for a change to the age of criminal responsibility and for the introduction of behaviour orders for children. Officials of the Irish Youth Justice Service in my Department have begun consultations with the Garda authorities on the effect and resource implications which these changes will have on the work of the Juvenile Diversion Programme.

In addition to the Juvenile Diversion Programme, there are also 74 Garda Youth Diversion Projects nationwide. Garda Youth Diversion Projects aim to bring about the conditions whereby the behavioural patterns of young people towards law and order can develop and mature. These projects cater for approximately 2,500 participants per annum and are particularly targeted at 10-18 year old "at risk" youths. The allocation of funding for the 64 Garda Youth Diversion Projects (along with 7 Local Drug Task Force Projects) in 2006 is just over €6.6 million, which is an increase of €1.2 million on 2005.

It is my intention to ensure that 100 schemes will be established nationwide before the end of 2007. Recently, I announced the establishment of ten new projects located in Blanchardstown, Birr, Carlow, Castlebar, Cavan, Clondalkin, Limerick, Tallaght and Tralee (two projects). The appointment of additional Juvenile Liaison Officers for these projects is under consideration.