Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has in place to deal with the unwelcome development in the recent arrests of younger teens for serious crimes carried out on behalf of organised gangs. [14149/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that they believe criminal groups or individuals are using young people in Limerick City to facilitate the commission of serious criminal acts. I condemn the manipulation by criminal gangs of young people in this way. This issue is of particular concern in relation to gang related criminal activity in Limerick.

Addressing gang and feud related criminal activity has been central to policing Limerick City for some time. Particular areas of the city are intensively policed, with additional resources being deployed in particular areas at short notice by Garda management, on the basis of intelligence received. Additional resources are also being deployed on community policing.

Substantial Garda resources under Operation Anvil have been provided in Limerick in recent months. Garda initiatives are continually undertaken to target the activities of criminal elements in the city. These initiatives have had significant results, including the seizure of significant quantities of drugs.

Regardless of age, it is already an offence to incite another to commit a crime. The crime of incitement stands alone and does not depend on whether a substantive offence was committed. It is punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine with the duration and amount at the discretion of the court. Furthermore, the Criminal Law Act 1997 provides that any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an indictable offence is liable to be tried as the principal offender.

My colleague the Minister for Children recently launched the National Youth Justice Strategy for 2008-2010. It is based on the principles of the Children Act 2001, as amended, and the Government's decision to reform the youth justice area.

The purpose of this Strategy is to develop a co-ordinated approach among agencies working in the youth justice system over the next three years. The Strategy acknowledges that the youth justice system is but one component in a broader community based approach for preventing youth offending that takes account of the wider family and social issues which need to be addressed by a number of agencies.

There is close liaison between an Garda Síochána and other Government and non-Government agencies in a multi-agency approach to address the wide range of social and economic problems experienced by people in certain areas of Limerick, including those relating to young people.