John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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619. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures his Department is taking to address anti-social behaviour in towns and villages across Cork; and whether additional funding will be made available for community safety partnerships and youth diversion programmes in the county. [65224/25]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and crime and to build safer streets and stronger communities through a number of ongoing measures.

From An Garda Síochána's perspective, a long-term strategic approach to tackling anti-social behaviour in communities assists in addressing potential problems before they arise. An Garda Síochána work collaboratively with Local Authorities, community leaders and groups to find solutions to problems associated with anti-social behaviour. Furthermore, I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána will always be on hand to respond to serious incidents, implement local policing plans as necessary and provide crime prevention advice to address the needs of the communities they serve.

Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) represent a significant step towards a more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven model of public safety. They will bring together a broad range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area which will include residents, local councillors, community representatives business and education representatives, and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the local authority. A core part of their work will be to draft a Community Safety Plan tailored to the community's needs.

Investment in youth justice services remains a key priority for this Government, and I am committed to ensuring children engaged in criminality, and those at risk of becoming involved in criminality, are supported to desist from offending behaviour. A significant allocation of €7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures was announced as part of Budget 2026. This represents an increase of more than 20% on the €36 million allocated in Budget 2025. Allocations to individual Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are still being considered in light of their 2026 annual plan submissions for funding.

The Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 commits to extending the YDP network. There are now 94 YDP projects operating nationwide, making these critical interventions available to young people at risk of engaging in criminal activity no matter where they live in Ireland. Co. Cork is serviced by a number of YDPs, namely: Bandon YDP; Cloyne Mobile YDP; Cork City East YDP; Cork City Northside YDP; Cork City South YDP; Feabhas YDP; Mallow YDP; West Cork YDP; and Youghal YDP.

The programmes offered by YDPs provide participants between the ages of 12 and 17 years with suitable activities to facilitate their personal development. They promote civic responsibility and encourage pro-social behaviour in their communities. In addition, the programmes aim to improve educational outcomes and long-term employability prospects.

These opportunities are intended to allow young people to reflect on and challenge their past behaviour. They help to enhance participant's capacity to regulate their emotions and resolve conflict. In addition, the programmes support the development of positive and appropriate relationships with peers.

The Strategy also commits to extend the remit of the YDP network to provide dedicated Family Support, Early Intervention, and Harder-to-Reach programmes throughout the State.

These interventions are designed to support specific groups. First, they target the immediate family members of participants. Second, they focus on 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. In addition, they address the needs of prolific young offenders who present to YDPs and youth related services with complex needs.