Legal measures aimed at counteracting anti-social behaviour, known as asbos, will not have an immediate effect, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has said.
The orders came into force yesterday for children of at least 12 and below 18 years.
Mr McDowell said that asbos (anti-social behaviour orders) were a proportionate and well-worked-out sanction which commanded widespread public support.
"They are not a remedy of first resort and they will not have an instant effect, but I believe there is huge public support for the proposal," Mr McDowell said.
The application of asbos in Ireland differed from the UK, he added.
A number of steps must be taken before an application for an asbo for a child can be made. These include a written warning, a meeting involving parents and gardaí, a good behaviour contract and a referral to the Garda diversion programme.
If, at the end of this, a superintendent feels there is still a risk of the child continuing the anti-social behaviour, the senior garda can apply to the Children's Court for an asbo.
This can ban the child from behaving in a specified manner at or in a specified place. It can require the child to attend school, report to a garda or teacher, or be supervised by a parent or guardian. The order can remain in force for a maximum of two years and can be appealed to the Circuit Court.
Fourteen people have been issued with warnings since adult asbos were introduced in January.
Children's rights and civil liberties groups have strongly opposed the measure.
