Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

Our Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 is a whole-of-government plan that takes a strategic approach to all issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system. The key principles of the strategy are linked to the standards endorsed by the international community to uphold children's rights and include early intervention and preventative work, family support, diversion from crime, court processes and facilities, supervision of offenders, detention and reintegration, and support post release.

Youth diversion projects are community-based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in antisocial and-or criminal behaviour. When a young person's time with a youth diversion project is coming to an end, whether they age out naturally at 18 or are no longer in need of specific youth diversion project supports, a plan is put in place to assist the young person to progress from the project. This process should be commenced well in advance of a person's planned disengagement. For all participants exiting a project, the youth diversion projects should identify other services that could engage the young person; identify specific agency support that may be needed by the young person; make contact with that service provider on behalf of the young person; prepare the young person for leaving the project; and follow up periodically on the progression of the young person after leaving the project and record any relevant details sent annually to the Department for reporting purposes.

The diversion programme has proved to be very successful in diverting young people under 18 away from crime by offering guidance and support to them and their families. It is important that we consider the supports and interventions needed for young people as they move into adulthood because personal circumstances do not just change overnight when someone turns 18.

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