Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of juveniles who came into conflict with the law for possession of firearms and knives in each of the years 2000 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47164/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The compilation of crime statistics is now the responsibility of the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This decision was taken following the submission of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for the purpose.

I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics related to the number of juveniles who come into conflict with the law for possession of firearms and knives to the Deputy. These statistics will cover the period 2003-2006. The 2007 statistics will be available at a later date.

Statistics prior to 2003 are available in the Garda annual reports which can be found on the Garda website (www.garda.ie).

Other information on this topic is available in the Diversion Programme Reports. I would like to inform the Deputy that the 2006 and 2007 Diversion Programme reports are being laid before the Oireachtas today. Copies of these documents will also be available shortly on the Irish Youth Justice Service website (www.iyjs.ie).