Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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356. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on his work to create awareness and availability of restorative justice at all stages of the criminal justice system as committed to in the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024; if there is a timeline for the publication of policy proposals on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8036/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Restorative justice is one of a suite of measures available to the criminal justice system. As the Deputy will be aware, at its core, restorative justice aims to enable all those affected by an offence to participate actively in repairing the harm done and to find a positive way forward. It is founded on the principle of consent of the parties to the approach.

Restorative justice is currently delivered by An Garda Síochána, within the Garda Youth Diversion Programme; by the Probation Service with youth and adult offending, pre and post-sentence; and by the Community-Based Organisations that receive referrals at specific points in the criminal justice process.

Restorative Justice is a service that has, for some time, been an important part of the work of the Probation Service. As part of its strategy to further develop capacity to deliver a high quality service in accordance with the Victims of Crime Act 2017, the Service established a National Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit in 2018.

The Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 looks at the Programme for Government commitment to work with all criminal justice agencies to build capacity to deliver restorative justice safely and effectively. The Review highlights that an appropriate service delivery model is required to promote, support and oversee high quality restorative justice practice at all stages of the criminal justice process, including prevention and diversion. Consideration is also given to the European Rules on Community Sanctions and Measures, and the European Prison Rules.

I can assure the Deputy that this Programme for Government commitment is one of the strategic objectives for my Department.

Five high level actions were identified and outlined in the Justice Plan 2021 and four of these steps have been completed to date.

As part of this work, the Department of Justice commissioned a number of restorative justice experts and researchers to map the delivery of restorative justice in Ireland. The findings were published on a new website in 2021.

Policy options are currently being examined for an appropriate mechanism and process to create awareness and availability of Restorative Justice at all stages of the criminal justice system, with consistency of service ensuring quality in training and practice. My Department is currently developing a policy paper in this regard and intends to publish proposals shortly.