Written answers

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Deployment

9:00 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number, in tabular format, of juvenile liaison officers nationally and annually for each of the past ten years; the number of referrals by the Garda of minors to juvenile liaison officers annually for the past ten years; the number of juveniles referred for supervision in respect of alcohol related offences annually for the past ten years; the number of juveniles referred for supervision in respect of anti social behaviour annually for the same period; the number of juveniles referred for supervision in respect of aggressive or violent behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40942/08]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to the Garda youth diversion projects annually for the past ten years; the number of youths participating in the projects annually for the past ten years; the number of projects nationwide; the funding provided for these programmes; the format these programmes take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40943/08]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to the Garda juvenile diversion programme annually since it was established; the number of youths participating in the projects annually since its establishment; the number of projects nationwide; the format of these programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40944/08]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 to 303, inclusive, together.

The Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme is an initiative first introduced in 1963 to divert juvenile offenders from criminal activity. It is operated by Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers and it has proven to be highly successful in diverting young persons away from crime by offering guidance and support to juveniles and their families. It enables referral to the Garda Youth Diversion Projects which are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives operating separately from the Programme. It should be noted that the Diversion Programme was placed on a statutory footing under the Children Act 2001 and separate annual reports related to its operation for the years 2001 onwards are also published annually.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí operating as Juvenile Liaison Officers on 30 September 2008 was 105. The Commissioner has approved the appointment of 7 additional Juvenile Liaison Officers each year up to 2010. As records of the numbers of JLO's prior to 2005 were in manual format the provision of the requested information is not readily available. The number of Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers as at 31st December for the remaining years were as follows:

2005: 95;

2006: 93;

2007: 93.

The statistics in relation to the operation of the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme as requested by the Deputy are available as follows: Statistics for 1999 to 2005 are available in An Garda Síochána's Annual Reports on the Garda Website. Statistics for 2006 are available on the Central Statistics Office's Website. Statistics for 2007 are not yet published. Statistics are not provided for the specific number of juveniles referred for aggressive or violent behaviour. Statistics based on the incidence of principal offences in respect of which referrals were made is recorded annually.

The Garda Youth Diversion Projects, which are funded by the Irish Youth Justice Service, work in tandem with the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme. They are a crime prevention initiative designed to engage with young people aged 12-17 years of age who have been identified as being at risk of involvement in criminal or anti-social behaviour. Each project is managed by a multi-agency and community based committee, which is responsible for the strategic direction of the project. Garda Youth Diversion Projects were first introduced in 1991 and there are currently 100 Garda Youth Diversion Projects operating in various locations throughout the country. Current year funding for these projects is €11,909 million.

The projects undertake a series of programmes and activities which are aimed at changing behaviours, attitudes and lifestyles of project participants to bring about positive change and learning outcomes. The programmes offer opportunities for education, employment training, sport, and other activities while providing a structured environment to add stability and support to a young person's life. This work is primarily carried out by a project coordinator/youth worker, who operates under the guidance of a project/management committee. While some gardaí work with the projects as part of their day to day activity, the deployment of Gardaí to these projects is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.These projects are managed by committees comprising representatives for An Garda Síochána, representatives from other relevant bodies, for example, Health Services Executive, Probation Service, local school, etc. In addition to the JLO and Community Gardaí, other local Gardaí, including, where appropriate, Gardaí from specialist units, also get involved in the work of GYDPs. The Garda Community Relations Section (GCRS) of the Garda National Juvenile Office based in Harcourt Street coordinates the administration of these projects.

Statistics in relation to number of participants in the projects for each of the years that the Deputy has requested are not readily available but, in general, each project works with approximately 36 young people annually. Some projects work with greater numbers and work on a less structured basis while others work intensively with fewer participants.

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