Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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663. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of youth diversion initiatives per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7598/25]

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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664. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the annual Government spend on youth diversion from 2014 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7599/25]

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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665. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the Government’s youth justice strategy; if the age limit will be extended to 25 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7600/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 663, 664 and 665 together.

The Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 is a whole of government plan to take a coordinated strategic and tactical approach to the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system.

The vision is to ensure collaboration across all sectors of government and society in the development and delivery of opportunities for children and young people, to harness support in their families and communities in order to strengthen their capacities to live free from crime and harm.

The key principles underlining the Strategy are linked to the standards endorsed by the international community as required to uphold children’s rights and include; early intervention and preventative work; family support; diversion from crime; court processes and facilities; supervision of offenders; detention and reintegration; and support post release.

The Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 commits to extending the remit of the Youth Diversion Project network to provide dedicated Family Support, Early Intervention, and Harder-to-Reach programmes throughout the State. These interventions seek to specifically target the immediate family members of participants, children aged between 8 and 11 years who are at risk of coming to the attention of law enforcement once they reach the age of criminal responsibility, and prolific young offenders presenting to YDPs and youth-related services with complex needs, respectively.

The Youth Justice Strategy includes actions to develop diversion-based responses for young adults aged 18-24. A discussion document for public consultation on diversion paths for young adults aged 18-24 was published on 9 November 2022. My Department sought opinions on appropriate diversion processes for young adults aged 18-24 who come into contact with the criminal justice system. The Department then held two further public open policy consultation forums in November 2023 with feedback and responses examined and compiled for inclusion in new policy proposals.

One final stakeholder consultation will take place on 27 February 2025, following which my officials will submit policy proposals to me for consideration.

Last week, I announced two new Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) in East Clare and North Tipperary. Foróige has been chosen to operate both projects. This announcement will achieve the target as set out in the Youth Justice Strategy of full national coverage of YDPs, ensuring that a service is available to every young person who needs it.

I have attached details on the number of YDPs in each county, and the funding that my Department has paid to YDPs from 2014 to date in 2025.

Number of YDPs in each county

Funding Paid to YDPs*