Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if adequate resources are available to the relevant sections of his Department to combat juvenile or petty crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43360/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Tackling juvenile crime is a priority for this Government. The Government's policy on youth crime is set out in detail in the National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010. This strategy is underpinned by the principles of the Children Act, 2001 as amended. The approach adopted involves the deployment of Garda juvenile liaison officers, community Gardaí and the use of such measures as the Garda Diversion Programme, Garda youth diversion projects, young person's probation projects and community sanctions, in addition to the incremental process of warnings, good behaviour contracts and anti-social behaviour orders. The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Justice and Law Reform along with other Government Departments is subject to the Government's moratorium on recruitment and the current financial constraints. However, I can assure the Deputy that the resources at the disposal of the Department and its agencies are managed effectively, and I am satisfied that there are adequate resources to address this issue.