Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1127. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a list of justice youth diversion programmes in County Roscommon, including the location, funding amount and number of young persons engaged in each programme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1534/23]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or anti-social behaviour, and to support wider preventative work in the community and with families at risk. There are currently 106 YDPs in place throughout the State, supporting up to 4,000 young people.

Under the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-27, the intention is to further develop this service so that it is available to every child in the State who could benefit from it, through an ongoing expansion of existing services and the foundation of new projects where necessary.

The Strategy commits to the broadening and deepening of services provided by YDPs and acknowledges the importance of Early Intervention and Family Support programmes for children at risk, as well as access to appropriate Education, Training and Youth Services.

Last November, a call for expressions of interest from community groups for establishment of a number of new YDPs in areas that currently are not covered was issued. This will meet a key commitment of the Youth Justice Strategy – that the service will be available to every child/young person who requires it regardless of where they reside in the State.

The Deputy will be interested to know that there is one YDP based in Roscommon, RAD, managed by Foróige. Details of the funding provided and the number of participants are outlined in the table below.

** Participant numbers taken from RAD 2021 Annual Report.