Should Parents Pay for Their Kids’ Crimes? Episode 474

In this episode, Niall tackles a controversial question: Should parents be fined when their children commit crimes?

It comes as new figures show the number of children referred to the Irish Probation Service in 2024 hit its highest level in ten years — with 609 cases involving 12 to 17-year-olds, a 10% jump from the previous year. The rise is part of a wider trend of increasing youth crime, sparking debate over how to address the problem before these offenders become the hardened criminals of tomorrow.

Listeners call in to share their views, and the pros and cons come thick and fast.

Some of the pros:

Fining parents would make them more accountable for their children’s actions.

It could act as a deterrent, encouraging stricter discipline at home.

Hitting parents “in the pocket” might push them to intervene earlier in their child’s behaviour.

Some of the cons:

Many of these children come from deprived areas, broken homes, or single-parent families, where money is already tight — fines would only add to hardship.

Punishing parents financially doesn’t guarantee behavioural change in the child.

It risks targeting vulnerable families without tackling deeper social problems like poverty, addiction, and lack of community support.

It’s a frank and passionate discussion about responsibility, fairness, and whether hitting parents with fines is justice — or just shifting the blame.