Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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709. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of minor offenders have been diverted from the courts over the Garda adult caution scheme since its inception in 2006. [27404/13]

Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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711. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to include the possession of cannabis resin in its schedule of the Garda adult caution scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27406/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 709 and 711 together.

The Garda Adult Cautioning Scheme, approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was introduced on a non-legislative basis on 1 February 2006 for specific offences including offences contained in the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and the Criminal Damage Act 1991.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that since its introduction in 2006 to 5 June, 2013, there has been a total of 67,765 Adult Cautions recorded on PULSE.

The Scheme, which was drawn up in the first instance in agreement between the Garda authorities and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, is kept under review, but at present the offence referred to by the Deputy is not covered by the Scheme.