Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
205. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the provision of youth diversion projects for Macroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6184/26]
View answerYouth Diversion Projects are community-based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives. These projects provide young people with suitable activities to facilitate their personal development, promote civic responsibility, encourage pro-social behaviour in their communities and improve their educational outcomes and long-term employability prospects.
Macroom falls in the catchment area of West Cork Youth Diversion Project which received an allocation of €581,331 for 2026.
This funding allows for a staff allocation of one Senior Youth Justice Worker, five Youth Justice Workers, one specialist Family Support Youth Justice Worker and one specialist Early Intervention Youth Justice Worker across the West Cork Youth Diversion Project which covers Bantry, Macroom and Skibbereen.
The budget allocation for Youth Justice measures has increased by 144% from 2020 to 2026 with a significant allocation of €7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures announced as part of Budget 2026.
