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

I agree with everything the Deputy has said. I want to underline the Government's strong commitment to youth justice services. That is shown by the fact that the budget for youth justice services has increased by 10% for next year, with an extra €3 million in the budget for same. This funding will be deployed with the assistance of the best available research and expert evidence to help keep young people away from crime. The intention is to further expand and develop the youth justice services to try to find who will benefit from them the most. As the Deputy may be aware, a new YDP in west Cork was recently announced, to become operational in 2024. Some €500 million was allocated to Foróige to set up this service. The Minister and the Minister of State are both aware of the increasing youth population of Carrigaline.

The Deputy said clearly that 28% of the population are under 19 and that there are 5,700 young people there. There is clearly a large demand in Carrigaline. The Department is looking forward to seeing an application for funding and it hopes that a suitable premises is accompanied by it. The Department will then consider that application.

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