Children Act, 2001
The Children Act was passed in June 2001. The Act is a major piece of legislation comprising 13 parts with a total of 271 sections. The Minister signed the first commencement order under the Act for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 23 April 2002.
The Children Act, 2001 introduces a wide range of innovative measures that will provide a statutory framework for the future development of the juvenile justice system in accordance with modern thinking and best international practice. Consideration is given to the fact that there is no single way of successfully dealing with the problems associated with youth offending and that the approach most likely to be successful is to provide for a wide range of options.
The Children Act 2001 shifts the emphasis away from residential or custodial care to care in the community. Detention becomes the option of last resort. When it is fully implemented, it should lead to a marked improvement in the provision of services to young people who offend, and increase community safety.
The Government has approved a number of youth justice reforms including:
- The etablishment of a new Youth Justice Service of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
- Amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004
