Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1057. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for new youth diversion programmes in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30476/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to improving outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality through investment in youth justice services.

A top priority for my Department has been the expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs). YDPs are community-based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or antisocial behaviour and to support wider preventative work within the community and with families at risk.

On average, the Projects engage with about 4,000 young people across the State in any one year.

Funding for the YDPs and other Youth Justice measures has increased substantially in recent years, doubling from €18 million in 2020 to a total allocation of just over €36 million in Budget 2025. This is supporting an increase in the availability of YDP services in the evenings and at the weekends when many young people need them most.

It will facilitate an increase in supports for families, interventions for disadvantaged young people and early interventions for 8-11 year olds who may be at increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity.

There are 93 YDPs available throughout the state and a further two were commissioned on 20 February of this year, one in North Tipperary and the other in East Clare. The addition of these two projects delivers full national coverage of this important service.

While there are no current plans for new YDPs in Counties Kilkenny or Carlow, two already operate in these counties, namely HUB YDP in Co. Carlow and COMPASS YDP in Co. Kilkenny.

HUB YDP was established in 2006 and benefitted from €274,834 funding for 2025. There are five full time employed Youth Justice Workers attached to this YDP. COMPASS YDP was established in 2000 and benefitted from €160,101 funding this year and employs two full time Youth Justice Workers. Both counties are fully served by the respective YDPs and service is available throughout both counties. YDP coverage is kept under review by my Department.