Call to reform child repeat offenders

THE Government was yesterday urged to adopt an effective approach to the problem of children who were persistent offenders.

The number of child repeat offenders was small in most communities, childrens’ rights agency Barnardos said.

Barnardos has proposed cuts in the time to bring children to court; quick intervention for children most at risk; bail supervision; community-based responses to dealing with children at risk; punishments appropriate to age, and investment in projects for children and their families in neighbourhoods ravaged by crime.

“This is the hard edge of juvenile offending, children who lead chaotic lifestyles and commit crime after crime. Barnardos proposals are not wishy-washy liberal thinking, this is what has been shown to work,” Sean Redmond, regional manager of Barnardos in the south, said.

“The political parties seem to be bereft of ideas. Policing, courts and detention have an important part to play, but are unlikely to make significant change in the long run. The communities affected by youth crime deserve effective, tried-and-tested responses,” Mr Redmond said.

However, Minister for Children Brian Lenihan said all health boards were implementing a Youth Homeless Strategy.

With a 5 million budget, the initiative aimed to reduce, and possibly eliminate, youth homelessness.

Mr Lenihan said it would also help provide aftercare services for children.

Labour party spokesperson on health and children, Liz McManus, said the record of the FF/PD Government was particularly scandalous because it had so much money at its disposal.

Ms McManus said homelessness had mushroomed during the economic boom, with young people making up larger numbers of those sleeping rough.

“With the health boards forced to cut back budgets, the future looks bleak,” she said.