Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 October 2025
234. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the new funding allocated to youth justice measures in Budget 2026; for a breakdown for where this funding will be directed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55662/25]
View answerInvestment 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 and will support the roll out of a comprehensive, nationwide network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs). Allocations to individual 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 YDPs network. YDPs are community-based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives. They primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour away from formal engagement with the Criminal Justice System.
The programmes offered by these 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.
Other initiatives funded as part of the Youth Justice budget allocation include:
• The Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) which offers courts an alternative option to remanding a young person to detention by providing them the possibility of granting bail with intensive supervision supports.
• The Greentown Programme which aims to disrupt criminal networks in their recruitment of children into these networks but also offers an intensive programme to support children, young people and their families.
• The Research Evidence into Policy, Programmes and Practice (REPPP) programme in the University of Limerick who act as the research partners to the Department in implementation of the Youth Justice Strategy.
