Group to oversee children’s justice issues unveiled

A HIGH-LEVEL group to oversee children’s justice issues is set to be announced today when the Government reveals its National Youth Justice Strategy.

The new group will include senior officials from the gardaí, health services, government departments and the probation service. It will report at least twice a year directly to cabinet about progress in communities trying to divert children away from crime and custodial sentences.

The National Youth Justice Oversight Group will include a Garda Assistant Commissioner, a department assistant secretary general and a senior Health Service Executive official. It is also expected to include officials with the Courts Service, the Department of Education and Science as well as the National Educational Welfare Board.