9 June 2005
Green
Party calls for support for anti-ASBO March
The
Green Party has given its support to the anti-ASBO March being organised for
this Saturday in central Dublin. Speaking at a Union of Students in Ireland
(USI) press conference this morning the Party’s Justice spokesperson Ciarán
Cuffe TD stated that;
“ASBO’s
aren’t the answer to problems of anti-social behaviour. They’re simply a
sticking plaster solution. Instead what we need to do is direct resources at
vulnerable families in society.”
“We
are calling on the Minister for Justice to:
-
Implement fully all sections of the Children Act 2001, including Part 9 that
provides for Parental Supervision Orders (PSO’s). These PSO’s can require
parents to undergo treatment for drug abuse.
-
Allocate greater resources to the Garda Youth Diversion Projects. There is
currently only one worker assigned per project and more staffing is required.
-
Provide full support for the National Education Welfare Board so that they can
ensure children stay in school until the appropriate time.
-
Ensure that the Gardai are properly trained for dealing with children in
marginalized communities.
“ASBO’s
have a chequered record in the UK. They have been used against children with
autism and have even been used to try and stop a child with Tourette syndrome
from swearing in public. In the UK most ASBO’s have been used to target
children.”
“Quick
fix solutions aren’t the answer. Instead the Minister should properly resource
and utilise the existing agencies.”
“
‘Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí’ (If you praise them they will flourish) is
an old Irish saying that sums up what is best for difficult children. Perhaps
the Minister for Justice should take advice from this saying that has stood the
test of time,” concluded Deputy Cuffe.
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