Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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224. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the targeted measures being introduced to address the growing issue of drug supply to minors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16261/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Tackling the scourge of drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities is a top priority of mine, and of this Government's.

An Garda Síochána continue to target those involved in street-level drug dealing across the country. The focus of An Garda Síochána is on disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking networks that impact our communities, and prosecuting those involved at every level, including through Operation Tara.

The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs. Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in the drug trade will be the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. The GNDOCB was established in 2015. Since then the unit has seized €627 million in illicit drugs, 171 firearms and 6,586 rounds of ammunition, and made 1,722 arrests.

In relation to supporting young people specifically, and as part of Budget 2025, €36 million has been allocated to Youth Justice services. This investment will facilitate an increase in the capacity of Youth Diversion Projects for the young people who need them the most, as well as increased supports for families and early interventions for children who may be at increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity.

The projects are community-based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people at risk of involvement in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. I was very pleased to announce two new projects in February which will achieve the target as set out in the Youth Justice Strategy of full national coverage.

The Programme for Government committed to diverting children away from gangs seeking to recruit them into a life of crime, including through the expansion of the ‘Greentown’ programme.

This is an innovative intervention which aims to frustrate the grooming of children into network-related criminal activities (e.g. drug dealing or intimidation) by adults and provide meaningful and practical routes out for network-involved children.

It is well-established that organised criminal groups will exploit vulnerable people into being involved in drug-related criminality. New laws were enacted last year which will allow for the prosecution of those involved in grooming and coercing young people into criminal activity.