State ‘failing to tackle causes of youth crime’

BUDGET cuts to the probation, prison education services and youth programmes reveal the Government’s “deep indifference” to tackling the causes of crime, a juvenile justice group said last night.

While Mr McCreevy yesterday confirmed the justice budget will increase by 6.1% to 1.8 billion, the Irish Juvenile Justice Alliance highlighted across-the-board cuts to the probation and welfare service, including an 8% drop in services for offenders.

The group comprising Children's Rights Alliance, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Penal Reform Trust said the Budget cuts will lead to a decrease in services to young people most at risk of ending up in conflict with the law.