The Garda Commissioner today launched An Garda Síochána’s Youth and Children Strategy 2009-2011.
Speaking at the annual Juvenile Liaison Conference in Templemore the Garda Commissioner said:
“An Garda Siochana recognises that the vast majority of young people do not come into conflict with the law, and for that reason the approach of the Strategy is a positive and inclusive one which aims to give support and guidance to children and young people, in particular those at risk or in need of assistance or help.”
Emphasising that An Garda Siochana has a responsibility to ensure that the service it provides to children is effective, fair and accessible, the Commissioner continued:
“It is therefore appropriate that An Garda Siochana should develop a strategy which reflects this responsibility and which meets the needs of children and young people in our community and which acts to create a safer community for everyone to live in.”
Adding that he regards the Youth and Children Strategy as complementing the new model of Community Policing, he outlined the three high level goals of the strategy as being:
A policing service for all children
A policing service for children in conflict with the law, and
A policing service for children at risk of harm or in need of assistance
He continued:
“The strategy also sets out how An Garda Siochana will achieve these goals through delivery of the appropriate service to each cohort of children, improving Garda skills and capabilities to deliver those services and working with other agencies to deliver the appropriate service.”
The Commissioner paid tribute to the daily work of juvenile liaison officers highlighting that in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, an additional 7 JLO positions have been sanctioned and that he has also committed to the creation of a further 7 posts in 2010. Over the same period, the number of Garda Youth Diversion Projects has increased from 68 to the current number of 100 projects.
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews TD welcomed the publication of the Youth and Children Strategy describing it as a “thorough, inclusive and dynamic programme that outlines how An Garda Síochána will deliver a superior, even-handed and valuable policing service to children and young people in communities throughout the State.”
He continued:
“The Strategy is positive in its tone and evolving in its approach and it gives support and guidance to children and young people, recognises the particular challenges that they face in modern society and confronts offending behaviour with appropriate counter-measures and diversionary interventions.”
The Garda Síochána Youth and Children Strategy is available on the Garda website www.garda.ie
Garda Press Office
13/10/09
