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.

The group is being formed as part of the National Youth Justice Strategy, the Government’s policy on juvenile problems up to 2010. The strategy was put together by the Irish Youth Justice Service, a body formed to assist services in welfare, education and care that deter juveniles from re-offending.

The strategy will focus on prevention, restorative justice, diversion and rehabilitation with juveniles. A number of goals and targets are expected to be announced in meeting troublesome teenagers’ needs.

The National Youth Justice Oversight Group will spearhead localised teams of gardaí, health service officials and others working with children whose job it will be to act together tackling community juvenile issues.

Initially, it is expected there will be four local youth justice teams, based in Dublin city, south Dublin, Limerick city and Donegal.

Minister for Children Brendan Smith is scheduled to launch the strategy and groups today in Farmleigh House, Dublin.

The strategy is expected to outline an increased use of community sanctions for young offenders rather than custodial measures, in line with the Children’s Act 2001.