150 new posts needed for youth justice reforms

The Department of Health believes that up to 150 new posts will be needed to facilitate plans by Minister of State for Children Brian Lenihan to reform the area of youth justice.

It is estimated that about 30 social work posts will be required as well as up to 120 family support and childcare conference co-ordinator positions.

Under changes agreed by the Government in December, most children under the age of 12 who commit offences are to be dealt with under the care system rather than the criminal justice system.

The package announced by Mr Lenihan also allowed for the introduction of controversial anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOS) and good behaviour contracts for 12 to 18-years-olds.

The Department of Health has told the Health Service Executive that the implementation of the Minister's proposals to rationalise and restructure the delivery of services in the area of youth justice would have a knock-on effect in the health sector which would require implementation of outstanding sections of the Children Act 2001.

An additional €8 million is to be made available by the Department of Health to the Health Service Executive to fund the development of childcare services.

"The implementation of the Children Act 2001 will require further investment in the overall child welfare and protection services and, in particular, in early intervention and prevention services," the Department of Health wrote.

"The Act obliges the Health Service Executive to have alternative community-based programmes in place to minimise the use and duration of secure care."

The department stated that the implementation of Part 5 of the Children Act - increasing the age of criminal responsibility - would require strengthening of social work and community-based services.

Further family-support provision, including projects such as Springboard, Youth Advocacy Programmes and Extern-type services, would be needed.

"There will also be a necessity to strengthen the family welfare conference system to allow access to the service for children referred to the Health Service Executive because of the change in the age of criminal responsibility and the need to provide the court options," the department added.

It estimated that, even with the use of directly-employed staff, approximately 150 new posts would have to be created.