Oireachtas committee calls to expand bail scheme for children

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) told the committee that a review of the Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) found that there was a 72% reduction in reoffending from six months post-BSS versus six months pre-BSS

During hearings, the committee was told the Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) — which is operated by a voluntary body, Extern — costs in the region of €20,000 per child per year, compared to around €230,000 at the Oberstown Child Detention Centre (pictured). File photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

An Oireachtas committee has called for an intensive supervision scheme for children charged with offences to be extended nationwide.

In a report, the Oireachtas Justice Committee also called for the Dublin Children’s Court model to be adopted throughout the country.