Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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252. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 22 May 2024, if she will provide an update in relation to the new youth diversion projects which are due to become operational this year; where they are located; when they are expected to become operational; the amount of resourcing that will be provided to each of them; the number of spaces that will be open to children in each of the projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26183/24]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by the Youth Diversion Projects, which are fully funded by my Department, is a significant priority both for myself and Minister McEntee. These projects provide an invaluable support to complement the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing youth crime and protecting local communities.

In Budget 2024, the funding allocated to Youth Justice Services increased by 10% to €33 million. This will facilitate an increase in the availability of YDP services in the evenings and at weekends when many young people need them the most, as well as an increase in supports for families, interventions for typically hard-to-reach young people and early interventions for 8-11 year olds who may be at increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity.

The current network of 99 YDPs is extensive, but we will continue to develop it further to ensure that every child who needs it is reached. Four new Youth Diversion Projects were launched last year - South Monaghan, Claremorris and district, South and East Co. Wicklow and West Cork (North of Bandon) and are now operational with a further two additional YDPs planned for later this year.

The two new YDPs will be based in (i) East Clare and (ii) Thurles and surrounding towns in North Tipperary.

The Department is currently engaging with youth-related services working in the two identified areas to discuss the needs of the communities the YDPs will be serving in greater detail. The Department will publish an invitation for expressions of interest from local community-based and youth service organisations to establish these two new YDPs in Q3 of this year.

The two new YDPs will then be commissioned before the end of 2024. This will achieve full nationwide availability of these important services to ensure that they are available to young people and their families across the whole of the State.

Catchment areas for projects are determined in consultation with local community groups, members of An Garda Síochána and other stakeholders on a case-by-case basis. As the YDPs have evolved organically since their inception, catchment areas vary depending on the project’s background and local needs.

Consequently, it is not possible at this time to provide a standard estimate of the number of young people who will engage with these new YDPs or the cost of the additional projects. However, I can assure the Deputy, that adequate funding will be provided to ensure that they are fully operational as quickly as possible.