Minister for Children's Address at launch of National Youth Justice Strategy

Address by

Mr Brendan Smith TD

Minister for Children

at the launch of the National Youth Justice Strategy

Farmleigh

27 March 2008

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am very pleased to be here with you in the lovely surroundings of Farmleigh House.

I would like to thank Michelle Shannon, National Director of the Irish Youth Justice Service, for inviting me here today to launch the National Youth Justice Strategy for 2008-2010.

This is an exciting time for all those involved in developing the youth justice system of this country.  Just three weeks ago I opened the first Biennial Conference of the Irish Youth Justice Service and announced that this Strategy, which is based on the principles of the Children Act 2001, as amended, would be launched. Today is the culmination of much hard work and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Director and staff of the IYJS who were directly involved in putting this document together, as well all those who contributed to the development of this national Strategy. 

The co-operation that went into the preparation of this Strategy is a hallmark of ongoing developments in the youth justice sector.  While it is now complete, I believe the real work now begins with its implementation and delivery.  I am also convinced that the future is very promising with all the relevant Government Departments and Agencies co-operating and working in close partnership.

The purpose of this Strategy is to develop a co-ordinated approach among agencies working in the youth justice system over the next three years.  The Strategy deals primarily with children who have already had some contact with the criminal justice system in order to reduce offending and re-offending.  It includes a number of high level goals and targets set to help measure progress and to assess and identify key tasks for the various Government Departments and Agencies involved. The Strategy acknowledges however that the youth justice system is but one component in a broader community based approach for preventing youth offending that takes account of the wider family and societal issues which need to be addressed by a number of agencies.

The five high level goals of the Strategy are:

  1. To provide leadership and build public confidence in the youth justice system;
  2. To work to reduce offending by diverting young people from offending behaviour;
  3. To promote the greater use of community sanctions and initiatives to deal with young people who offend;
  4. To provide a safe and secure environment for detained children which will assist their early re-integration into the community;
  5. To strengthen and develop information and data sources in the youth justice system to support more effective policies and services.

None of these goals can be achieved without the inter-agency co-operation I have spoken of.  To ensure the effective implementation of this Strategy, I am establishing a National Youth Justice Oversight Group to help drive the Strategy and facilitate cross-agency collaboration.  I am pleased to announce today that this Group will be chaired by Ms Sylda Langford, Director General of my Office, and will also include Ms Michelle Shannon, National Director of the Irish Youth Justice Service, Mr Aidan Browne, CEO, Children Acts Advisory Board, Ms Mary Doyle, Assistant Secretary from the Department of the Taoiseach, Mr Hugh Kane from the Health Service Executive, a senior officer from An Garda Síochána and Mr Paddy McDonagh, Assistant Secretary from the Department of Education and Science. Officials from other Departments and agencies may also be involved as required to report on progress in the areas under their remit. 

I am sure, at a national level, that this Group will be able to ensure the smooth implementation of all provisions of the Strategy between their agencies and their linkages with other agencies.  At local level, Youth Justice Teams will also be established where appropriate as sub-groups to the new Children Services Committees to enhance delivery of outcomes for the children concerned.

Over the next few years, and working closely with all involved, the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) will play a key role in implementing this Strategy.  Looking forward, I am convinced that significant progress can be made on each of these high level goals over the life of the Strategy. 

These developments will build on the significant resources already committed by Government to the sector and build on the progress that has already been made.

The Programme for Government made a commitment to double the number of Garda Youth Diversion Projects over the lifetime of this administration.  I am pleased to say the number of projects has already increased from 81 to 100.  The projects challenge offending behaviour and develop children’s skills so that they are in a better position to avail of opportunities such as education and employment, while providing a structured environment to add stability and support to the young person’s life.

Another commitment is to fund the implementation of a range of community sanctions which came into force in 2007.  These sanctions include community service, intensive supervision, training, and mentoring amongst others.  The great advantage of this system is that it allows a child to stay in their school and community while working to reform their behaviour, rather than taking them away from valuable social supports. A key challenge in the implementation of this Strategy will be ensuring the greater use of such sanctions.

You will also know that the Government decided earlier this month to approve proposals for the development of a new National Children Detention facility on the existing State-owned Oberstown campus in Lusk, Co Dublin.  This follows on from the recommendations of the Report of the Expert Group on Children Detention Schools, and allows for the expansion of the detention schools model to 16 and 17 year old boys who are currently accommodated in St Patrick’s Institution.  As I said when announcing this development at the IYJS Conference, this facility, when completed, will ensure that Ireland is a centre of international excellence in best practice for youth detention.  While detention is only used as a last resort, this Strategy will also work to ensure that once inside these facilities; a safe and secure environment will be provided to assist an early re-integration into society by the children involved.

A key element of the announcement, which I am pleased to note has been generally very well received, is the decision to cater for this cohort of 16 and 17 year old boys in the first phase of the new development at Oberstown.

I want to take this opportunity to re-iterate the Government’s strong commitment to ensuring that this is progressed as a matter of priority.

I would also like to highlight the involvement of children as key stakeholders in developing this Strategy.  Together with my Office, that of the Minister for Children, the IYJS consulted children for their views.  These included children between the ages of 12-17 years from Garda Youth Diversion Projects and also boys and girls from the Children and Young People’s Forum, a group which my Office consults on issues of concern to young people.   A number of interesting points emerged during that process and, I am pleased to say, have been incorporated into the strategy.

Finally, I am convinced that this Strategy lays strong foundations for the continued development of a successful youth justice system focused on reducing offending and improving outcomes for both young people and our community.  I believe it will make a difference.  Working in partnership, and working together, I also believe that we can all continue to build a safer society.

Thank you for your attention.

Ends.