Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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137. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Garda Commissioner's group will conclude a review of the youth diversion programme; the group's members and terms of reference; and when the review will be published. [16053/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the review will be completed in the fourth quarter of the year. The Review Group is chaired by retired Judge Gillian Hussey and consists of representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Probation Service, the Irish Youth Justice Service, University College Cork and An Garda Síochána.

The terms of reference of the Review Group are to:

(i) examine the application and administration of the Diversion Programme;

(ii) examine relevant legislation;

(iii) research international best practice on juvenile diversion; and

(iv) make recommendations.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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138. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 127 and 171 of 31 May 2016, the manner in which the Irish Youth Justice Service is engaged with An Garda Síochána in relation to the experience of the diversion programme for persons under eighteen years of age. [16054/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As indicated in my reply on 31 May 2016, the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) is currently engaged with An Garda Síochána in relation to the recommendation of the Penal Policy Review Group. The National Director of the IYJS has written to the Garda Commissioner asking that consideration be given to the recommendation having regard to the experience of the existing Diversion Programme, including before it was placed on a statutory footing. The Commissioner was also asked to consider the issues arising from An Garda Síochána's perspective and how the recommendation might best be progressed, having regard to the fact that the existing Diversion Programme for young people under eighteen years of age was already the subject of an ongoing review by a group established by the Commissioner. I have provided the Deputy with details of the membership of that group and its terms of reference in my reply to question number 137 of today's date. The Deputy will note that the IYJS is represented on the group.

Pending completion of the review of the existing Diversion Programme, the outcome of which will assist with the consideration of the Penal Policy Review Group's recommendation, the IYJS and An Garda Síochána will continue to consider the detailed implications of implementing the recommendation, including for An Garda Síochána and for diversionary projects and programmes that may be required to support the operation of a new Diversion Programme. In this latter regard, the Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government states that the Government will support the expansion of Local Drug Taskforce projects and Garda Youth Diversion Programmes for young people promoting restorative justice, and other voluntary organisations that contribute to our young people’s future direction.