James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The circumstances giving rise to knife crime are complex and varied across society and include anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending and domestic violence. Therefore, single solutions to knife crime cannot be developed in isolation but need to be considered as part of strategic responses to the issues presented by the discrete societal cohort or category of criminal behaviour.

The report the Deputy refers to informed the work of a sub-group of the Forum on Anti-Social behaviour, which I chair as Minister of State. The sub-group considered a proposal to support enhanced community-based responses to the issue of knife crime, in particular with regard to young people. This includes support to Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) who work with marginalised young people, including those who may carry knives. There are no plans at present to publish the report.

The subgroup is currently considering options including increasing public awareness, and what sanctions will be most effective to address the problem of knife crime.

My Department is engaging with An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to this matter and the work is ongoing.