Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is good to have the opportunity to speak on this issue. To be quite honest, I would love an hour, no more than anyone else would.

To put it in the optimistic point of view, Central Statistics Office, CSO, information from 2022 suggests that only 2.3% of young people aged 12 to 17 were referred to the Garda youth diversion programme. Obviously, there were activities that did not get to that level and that were undetected and so on, but it shows that the vast majority of our young people are model citizens, and that has to be remembered. We also have to remember that many of the victims of assaults by young people are actually young people themselves. In fact, a young constituent today told me that, when he was 15 and with his friend in Palmerstown, he was hopped on by a bunch of 15 guys from wherever. They escaped and got on the bus. There were no gardaí around. Nothing ever happened. It was just a random attack. We have these one-punch attacks on young men quite often. Other Deputies have mentioned this, and we had a debate on the issue of gender-based violence and the toxic masculinity that is being promoted. That is something that obviously has to be addressed too. However, let us look at what is causing the issues of young people getting involved in crime.

Disadvantage is key indicator number one alongside peer pressure, gang influence, lack of positive role models, educational disengagement, substance abuse and the related drug debt that some of my colleagues mentioned, and issues like mental health, family breakdown and general neglect. At the same time, however, irrespective of what the causes are, there also need to be consequences for poor behaviour. I do not believe we have those types of consequences for people getting involved in activities under the age of 18 to act as a deterrent and equally, as Deputy O'Flynn mentioned, consequences for the parents involved.

We need to take a positive approach, however. Early years investment is a key factor. I met a primary teacher who told me she could identify someone getting involved in criminal activity by junior infants just by the background situation and the issues involved. That is a sad reflection on our society. It is, therefore, good to see that we have this roll-out of the diversion programmes. I note the Minister's announcement recently as well. Years ago, though, people used to be able to bring their friends along. It was a more interesting project for the young person who was going. Due to cutbacks, though, it became just the person himself or herself. It kind of stigmatised people to a degree whereas we are trying to keep them from getting involved in the first place. We need to look at this from an holistic point of view. As I said, I would love to talk about it much longer, but it is about issues of leadership and support in the community and more investment in sports, as others have said. They all make contributions.

On the whole, our young people are good, and they need to be encouraged. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí.

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