30 August 2005 Green TD

Press Releases: 7 September 2005 Justice

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7 September 2005

Green Party calls on McDowell to implement Children’s Act, not ASBO’s

The Green Party today again expressed concern regarding the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell’s plans to introduce Anti Social Behaviour Orders to Ireland under the Criminal Justice Bill 2004

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said that, “Already a wide-range of measures are available to combat anti-social behaviour (ASB), but they are being starved of the resources necessary to make them work. Rather than bringing in new and conflicting ‘solutions’ to problems, such as ASB, let’s implement the Children Act 2001 in full and give it a chance to work. The Minister’s plans to introduce ASBO’s under the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 means that the Children Act is in danger of being permanently shelved.”

“The Green Party believes the challenge of anti-social behaviour can be confronted through a combination of the immediate implementation of the wide-range of measures available under the Children Act 2001 and making available proper resources for existing programmes and support services for local communities in need of assistance.”

“For instance, the Gardaí already operates a diversion programme for children who come to their attention and although it currently succeeds in diverting 90% of its young participants away from crime, it does not have enough Juvenile Liaison Officers, so many potential participants cannot be dealt with; Schools do not have adequate resources for dealing with children who have special needs or for ensuring their pupils are eating balanced meals; There aren’t enough social workers to provide support to families in need of help; Planning processes still do not always mainstream anti-ASB best-practice into all building proposals.

“The causes of ASB – boredom, a lack of appropriate recreational space, drugs, alcohol, dysfunctional family backgrounds and a sense of isolation from society – will not be addressed by the importation of ASBO’s into Ireland.”

“Instead I call on the Government to undertake the following:

-Implement all the provisions of the Children’s Act 2001;

-Give Juvenile Liaison Officers sufficient resources;

-Provide more community Gardaí;

-Fill the vacant posts on the National Education and Welfare Board; and

-Invest in proper facilities for disadvantaged areas, as was promised under the RAPID Programme.”

Ciarán Cuffe is a TD for the Dún Laoghaire Dáil Constituency. Ciarán can be contacted at Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or 96 Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire Tel. 284 6060 or 618 3082, Fax 618 4341, Email Ciaran CiaranCuffe.com