Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1163. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when she will be carrying out the mid-term review of the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 - 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38322/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 - 2027 committed to publishing an annual update of the Implementation Statement and carrying out a mid-term review of progress after three years, with the process to begin in 2024.
I can inform the Deputy that the Youth Justice Implementation Statement 2021 was published in December 2022 and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/dca46-youth-justice-implementation-statement-2021/.
The Youth Justice Implementation Statement 2022 is currently being drafted by my Department and will be published in Q4 2023.
It may also be of interest to the Deputy that a report on the Evaluation of Youth Diversion Projects (YDP) was published in June of this year and can be found at the following link: gov.ie - Youth Justice Strategy 2021 - 2027 (www.gov.ie).
Nationwide access to YDPs is a keystone commitment in the Youth Justice Strategy. The report noted the very positive ongoing work by YDPs, including the high levels of engagement from participants and the overwhelmingly positive impact they are having on the majority of young people who engage their services.
The evaluation showed that young people engaging in YDPs were less involved in criminal or antisocial behaviour, had improved self-confidence and communication skills, had increased happiness, and an overall improved sense of hope.
