Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2025
120. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice for a complete breakdown of the number of young persons referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme by Garda district within Dublin region for the past three years, in tabular form. [21445/25]
View answerThe statutory framework relating to young offenders (between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age), and inclusion in the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, is set out in the Children Act 2001. The Act provides that where a young person under 18 years of age is responsible for committing a crime, the young person shall be considered for admission to the Youth Diversion Programme. In order for a young person to be admitted to the Programme, the child must take responsibility for their offending behaviour; agree to be cautioned by a Garda; and, when appropriate, agree to terms of supervision.
The Diversion Programme is supported by a network of 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.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below provides a breakdown of young people referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme by Garda District in Dublin (i.e. received one or more referral) for the years 2022-2024. Please note that the below figures are reflective of distinct persons referred per local District per year and rely on the District of the youth at the time of the referral.
|
District |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Balbriggan |
187 |
184 |
170 |
|
Ballymun |
149 |
115 |
130 |
|
Blackrock |
121 |
83 |
61 |
|
Blanchardstown |
380 |
295 |
267 |
|
Bridewell |
39 |
35 |
25 |
|
Clondalkin |
222 |
194 |
202 |
|
Coolock |
270 |
269 |
220 |
|
Crumlin |
127 |
94 |
98 |
|
Donnybrook |
33 |
15 |
29 |
Please be advised that the above figures are based on referrals created between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024, inclusive. The above figures represent persons ages 12+ for all years. All of the information outlined above is based upon operational data from the PULSE system, as was available on 10 April 2025, and is liable to change.
