Proposals need financial backing

THE report published by the National Crime Council (NCC) yesterday contains recommendations which, if implemented, could have a very positive impact on reducing the incidence of crime.

Unfortunately, A Crime Prevention Strategy for Ireland omits any indication of what it might cost to put the proposals in place, despite the fact that they are the result of two years of research and consultation.

It would be a pity if the worthwhile recommendations were not brought to fruition, because they generally reflect an innovative approach to stemming the steadily rising crime figures.

For instance, one of the recommendations is the appointment of 34 crime prevention officers who would be attached to county development boards, and whose remit would be to develop a special plan to tackle crime in their local area.

The report also presents a new crime prevention aspect to dealing with drug offences, assault, burglary and larceny and advocates the expansion of non-custodial sanctions for juvenile and adult offenders.

The chairman of the NCC, Padraic White, is quite correct in stating that if the recommendations were implemented, they would have a lasting impact on crime.

But it comes back to a question of money.

The NCC has also recommended that reduced pupil-teacher ratios be extended to schools designated as “disadvantaged” by the Department of Education.

Yet, only this week the same department announced that the number of concessionary teachers would be reduced by 300 when the schools re-open next September.

This, as the education professionals have pointed out, will lead to an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio, and pupils with special needs will be affected most.

The report contains a proposal which, hopefully, would allow it be evaluated.

This is that a pilot scheme would be set up over a two-year period using three development boards, involving city and county regions.

Given that Justice Minister Michael McDowell has indicated his support for the pilot scheme, it is hoped the necessary money will be forthcoming to enable its operation.