Sharon Keogan (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House to talk about a topic that is very important to us. The diversion of young people from the path of criminal activity is not just a matter of crime statistics; it is about the future of our children and the health of our communities. Recent reports have highlighted the challenges we face, for instance, the overcrowding in Oberstown children's detention campus, which has capacity for 46 juveniles but often exceeds that limit. This has led to some youths being released due to lack of space. It is a symptom of a deeper problem, the lack of early intervention and support for at-risk youth. The new Government policy of enhancing engagement with young people includes expanding the network of Garda youth diversion projects to provide greater early intervention, family support and engagement with younger children.

The granted Oberstown 2023 budget shows that it cost the Irish taxpayer up to €2,500 per child per day. There is no doubt that preventative programmes will not only be more effective and humane but they will also be cheaper. Moreover, initiatives like the bail supervision scheme and restorative justice practices have shown promise in addressing the root causes of crime and reducing recidivism. This Government programme offers therapeutic supports and, often, conversations between victims and perpetrators, and it encourages young people not to reoffend.I particularly encourage the allocation to focus its resources on organisations such as EPIC and YAP. I believe we should focus on a preventative approach that supports children at risk and in marginalised situations and families.

We must also address the influence of organised crime on our youth. Legislation introduced by the Minister for Justice criminalises adults who force or entice children into criminal lifestyles, with penalties of up to five years in prison. This is a step in the right direction, but it could and should go a lot further. Enforcement and community support are key. As I have previously stated, communities need to come together and decide what they want to be. Councils must examine the physical layout of their areas, install community lighting and ensure the common spaces do not inadvertently contribute to the formation of gangs engaged in antisocial behaviour.

It is also important that we be hard-nosed realists about youth crime. We cannot totally succumb to a naive, feel-good view that all criminals are themselves victims or poverty and bad circumstances. Many juvenile offenders are far from stupid. They are often fully aware that a sorry face and an appeal for a second chance can serve as the perfect get out of jail card. Only last February, an RTÉ investigation revealed that, between 2010 and 2023, 4,289 young people were referred to the diversion programme for sexual offences, including rape, with 795 of them being accepted. We should make a clear distinction between the levels of seriousness of crimes. Please remember that part of the diversion programme involves dropping the charges against the minor in operation. Dismissing charges of graffiti and vandalism is not nearly the same as dismissing charges of rape. What is also worrying is that, for severe crimes such as these, the involvement of the victim is not obligatory in the referral process. This needs to be changed.

If we are to talk about prevention, as I have said again and again, we simply cannot continue to neglect An Garda Síochána. The physical presence of our police is the most vital pillar of law enforcement. We can never expect these programmes to compensate for the underfunded, in-demand police force. I said it earlier and will repeat it again: many young offenders are not stupid. They are perfectly aware that they can get away with crime easily. It takes hours, in many cases, for gardaí to respond to calls.

I know the Minister of State was previously at the new Department for higher education that was set up during the previous Dáil term. The Department's apprenticeship programme is one way to get children and youths into proper jobs. The young people just want something to do. Very often, if a child or teenager can be given a chance in life and can be shown a better way, they will take it. I was not aware of the Greentown programme until now. I was not aware of it because I believe it is only in Limerick. That should be rolled out in every big city in this country. I had only heard of the Greentown programme today. I looked it up and it is involved with the University of Limerick. It should be available in Drogheda, Monaghan, Meath, Cavan and all the other counties. Let us commit to providing our young people with the support and opportunities they need to lead positive and productive lives. However, let us also remain stern on serious crime and increase our funding and support for law and order enforcement.