Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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246. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken to develop a distinct criminal justice strategy for young adults aged 18 to 24 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42452/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government supports the expansion of Garda Youth Diversion Programmes for young people. This follows on from a recommendation of the Penal Policy Review Group that a programme similar to the existing Youth Diversion Programme be introduced for young people above the age of eighteen years, with an initial focus on eighteen to twenty-one year olds.

The Review Group recognised that implementing the recommendation would require significant consultation with relevant agencies, including An Garda Síochána, as well as consideration of the resource implications, including the personnel requirements within An Garda Síochána and the Irish Youth Justice Service. A fundamental consideration is the extent to which the existing model for the Garda Diversion Programme for those under 18 might be readily applied or adapted for an older age cohort.

I am advised that there is ongoing engagement between the Irish Youth Justice Service and An Garda Síochána, with a view to scoping out the detailed implications of introducing an extended Diversion Programme, initially for offenders aged eighteen to twenty one years. Part of this work involves an analysis of the nature and scale of offending by persons in that age cohort.

In addition, I can advise the Deputy that a Group, established by the former Garda Commissioner, is undertaking a comprehensive review of the existing Youth Diversion Programme. The outcome of that review will help to inform the consideration of proposals for a programme for young offenders over eighteen years of age.

I can assure the Deputy that I will keep progress in this area under review but, clearly, there is a range of issues that require very careful consideration in this regard.