Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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543. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the rates of reoffending in the State amongst those who were first sentenced before the age of 25 years; how this compares to other jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35343/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is focused on reducing reoffending including by diverting people, where appropriate, from the criminal justice system and ensuring the underlying causes of offending behaviour are addressed.

This is not something that can be done with just a criminal justice response. It requires action on the part of other Government Departments and agencies. In this regard I am pleased to note the work of the:

• Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 which was published last year;
• High Level Task Force which considered the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector, also published last year; and
• Prison Education Taskforce which was established on 23 May 2023 and is jointly chaired by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris and the Minister of State with responsibility for Law Reform in the Department of Justice, James Browne.