Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and locations of Garda youth diversion programmes in communities around the country. [42310/08]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and locations of juvenile justice liaison officers in communities around the country. [42312/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 345 together.

The Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme operates in accordance with Part 4 of the Children Act 2001, as amended, and under the general superintendence and control of the Garda Commissioner. The aim of the Diversion Programme is to deal with juveniles who offend, by way of administering a formal or informal caution, thus diverting the offender away from the courts and minimising the likelihood of further offending. The Diversion Programme embraces, whenever possible, the principles of restorative justice and, at all times, it pays the highest regard to the needs of the victims of juvenile offending. The Programme has proven to be highly successful in diverting young persons away from crime by offering guidance and support to juveniles and their families.

The Deputy will be aware that it is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to decide on the prioritisation and allocation of resources within the force. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí operating as Juvenile Liaison Officers on 30 September 2008 was 105. The deployment of Juvenile Liaison Officers around the country on that date was as follows:

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. Details of the projects are available on the Irish Youth Justice website (www.iyjs.ie) under the Community Programmes heading.