Expansion of restorative justice programmes in Munster area represents progress – Pa Daly TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has today welcomed the expansion of restorative justice programmes in Munster.  Teachta Daly’s remarks come after the establishment of a South-West project, run by Le Chéile, which will extend RJ services to counties Cork and Kerry and is funded by the Department of Justice through the Probation Service.

Teachta Daly said:

“Sinn Féin were critical when a recent mapping exercise, conducted by Dr. Ian Marder of the Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology, showed less than 1% of cases across the state were referred to restorative processes.

“However, we now welcome the announcement of the expansion of services into Kerry and Cork. The pressure applied by Sinn Féin and campaigners has clearly forced the government’s hands, and our allocation of an increase to funding in both our manifesto and most recent alternative budget is now being mirrored by government.

“Restorative justice can refer to a number of different processes. By and large, these enable a victim and an offender or alleged offender to communicate, with their consent and facilitated by an impartial third party, in order to address and repair the harm done by the offence through dialogue and reparation.

“This allows the offender or alleged offender to address and repair the harm done by the offence to others with a stake in what happens and to society at large.

“Whilst the funding increase is welcome, the legislative framework governing restorative justice must be updated. I moved the Criminal Justice (Promotion of Restorative Justice) (Amendment) Bill 2023 last year, along with Sinn Féin colleagues and with the help of Dr. Marder. The bill would help to promote the use of restorative justice, giving a clearer legislative framework for same.

“This should be a focus of any future programme for government, so that further progress can be made.”