Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
570. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to support the rollout of the current Youth Justice Strategy and develop a successor strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56648/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment 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. In Budget 2025, an extra €3.2 million was provided for Youth Justice initiatives, bringing the total allocation to over €36 million. As announced as part of Budget 2026 a significant additional allocation of €7.3 million in core exchequer funding will be provided for Youth Justice measures to support the ongoing implementation of the Youth Justice Strategy.
The Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 is a whole of government plan to take a coordinated strategic and tactical approach to the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system.
The vision is to ensure collaboration across all sectors of government and society in the development and delivery of opportunities for children and young people, to harness support in their families and communities in order to strengthen their capacities to live free from crime and harm.
The key principles underlining the Strategy are linked to the standards endorsed by the international community as required to uphold children’s rights and include;
• early intervention and preventative work;
• family support;
• diversion from crime;
• court processes and facilities;
• supervision of offenders;
• detention and reintegration; and
• support post release.
The Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 commits to extending the remit of the Youth Diversion Project (YDP) network to provide dedicated Family Support, Early Intervention, and Harder-to-Reach programmes throughout the State. These interventions seek to specifically target the immediate family members of participants, 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, and prolific young offenders presenting to YDPs and youth-related services with complex needs, respectively.
Considerable progress has been made to extend the Youth Diversion Project network throughout the State under the current Strategy. Two new YDPs have been approved for East Clare and North Tipperary. Once these new projects are up and running there will be full nationwide Youth Diversion Project coverage, ensuring any child who needs access to their service can get it, no matter what part of the country they are in.
Full implementation of the Youth Justice Strategy model remains a priority to be realised progressively over its final years, and the following Strategy will build on the significant progress that has already been made since 2021.
