KENNY WELCOMES SUCCESS OF GARDA DIVERSION PROGRAMME

Posted on January 21, 2013 5:57 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin Bay North Labour T.D. and member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Seán Kenny, has welcomed the publication of the 2012 Annual Report on the Garda Diversion Programme.

"I welcome the reduction in the number of children coming to the attention of the Gardaí in 2012 compared to the previous year. The figures show that 5,177 less children came to the notice of the Gardaí in 2011 which is a decrease of 29% compared to 2011. The Minister also welcomed the expansion of the restorative justice process with a 14% increase in practice on 2011 figures."

"I would note that a majority of the children who were admitted to the Programme were given an informal caution, i.e. a caution without JLO supervision. This represents a reduction of just over 25% on the previous year. A caution without supervision is generally applied for a first offence or a repeat minor offence."

"The top three youth offence categories for 2012 were Public Order and Social Code Offences (29%), Theft and Related Offences (24%), and Damage to Property and the Environment (11%). These offence categories are broadly in line with the previous year."

"The Programme for Government makes clear the determination of this Government to tackle anti-social behaviour and the plague of low level crime that is so destructive to community life. The Government is committed to continuing its work under the Programme to eradicate youth crime and anti-social behaviour, and I will be playing my part as a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice to assist the Government in this."