Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy very much for raising this matter. I am responding on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy Browne. Youth diversion projects, or YDPs, are community-based multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives. They primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in antisocial or criminal behaviour. Youth diversion is not about young people avoiding punishment or consequences. It is about recognising that many young people who stray from the proper path simply need support and direction to get their lives back on track. The work of the YDPs benefits everyone in our communities as they work to promote pro-social activities and outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality. Youth diversion projects not only divert young people away from crime, but also work to foster young people’s talents, interests and personal development. These projects provide an invaluable support to complement the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing youth crime and protecting local communities.

To support youth justice services, and to ensure delivery of key objectives in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 - 2027, a further €2.9 million in funding has been allocated under budget 2024. This increases the total budget allocation for the YDPs and other youth justice services to an unprecedented €33 million.

Funding for the YDPs is provided by the Department of Justice and it is co-funded through the European Union's European Social Fund Plus.

The Minister understands that there are 13 YDPs operating in County Cork. The Department of Justice is in discussions with Foróige, which operates the YDPs in Cork city, on the need for expansion of the youth diversion services in the Cork city division. An assessment of need by Foróige will take place in 2024 to identify possible gaps in the service in the Cork city division. Following this assessment, it is anticipated that funding for additional staff posts may be sought and that support for provision of a more suitable premises in Carrigaline, for the YDP and other services, may also be sought. However, no request has been submitted to the Department of Justice yet. I trust the Deputy can appreciate that the consideration of a capital grant to build or source a permanent location for a YDP can only be considered in the context of an application for same being provided to the Department.

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