Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 27 November 2025

Committee on Drugs Use

Substance Use and Young People: Discussion

2:00 am

Mr. Mick Ferron:

The National Youth Council of Ireland is a representative body.

We serve our member organisations. It is my experience and understanding that what the Deputy is referring to develops quite organically on the ground. In many cases, youth organisations and youth service providers host Garda youth diversion projects. There are various different networks, most recently including the community safety partnerships, where youth work providers and others come together. I do not know if there is one set model because a lot of it is based on professional relationships. Where there are long-established relationships in local communities between key persons-----