Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
430. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice for a breakdown of the number of young people participating in Garda youth diversion projects across Dublin areas in each of the past five years and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22509/24]
View answerEvery young person deserves the opportunity to improve their quality of life and our commitment to expanding Youth Justice services and increasing funding similarly reflects our commitment to these young people.
As the Deputy may be aware, Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended) provides the statutory basis for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme (GYDP). The intention of the programme is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system and towards more positive life choices. Children who commit criminal offences are considered for admission to the Programme. Each case is assessed individually and the Director of the GYDP, who is a Garda Superintendent, decides if the case is suitable for inclusion.
Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are a fundamental support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme. The current network of 99 YDPs is extensive, but we will continue to develop it further to ensure every child who needs it is reached and have selected an additional four projects to commence this year. Youth Diversion Projects are co-funded by the Irish Government and European Social Fund as part of the ESF+ Programme 2021-2027.
The Deputy may wish to note that I launched an evaluation of the YDPs last year, which demonstrates that the YDPs have proved very successful.
An Garda Síochána is a referring agent to Youth Diversion Projects as well as a partner supporting the ongoing diversion of young people from criminal and anti-social behaviour.
While Youth Diversion Projects primarily receive referrals from An Garda Síochána, they may receive referrals from other sources including schools, parents or self-referrals, including in some cases working with young people who are not under Garda supervision. Individual YDPs also undertake early intervention preventative work and support for families.
The below table outlines the number of participants for the YDPs operating in the Dublin geographical area over the last five years. The participant numbers for 2024 will not be available until mid-2025.
|
Area |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Balbriggan, Co. Dublin |
31 |
36 |
40 |
64 |
84 |
|
Ballyboden, Dublin 16 |
36 |
26 |
21 |
26 |
36 |
|
Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 |
59 |
47 |
39 |
40 |
56 |
|
Ballymun, Dublin 11 |
35 |
16 |
12 |
25 |
41 |
|
Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 |
118 |
168 |
177 |
199 |
171 |
|
Cabra, Dublin 7 |
24 |
22 |
27 |
30 |
34 |
|
Carrickmines, Dublin 18 |
15 |
8 |
17 |
25 |
24 |
|
Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
98 |
86 |
56 |
61 |
84 |
|
Crumlin, Dublin 12 |
69 |
69 |
78 |
71 |
74 |
|
Darndale, Dublin 17 |
34 |
26 |
44 |
45 |
37 |
|
Donaghmede, Dublin 5 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
20 |
24 |
|
Donnycarney, Dublin 5 |
18 |
20 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
|
Dublin 8 |
93 |
94 |
88 |
106 |
133 |
|
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin |
23 |
23 |
17 |
26 |
29 |
|
Dunne Street, Dublin 1 |
19 |
22 |
23 |
25 |
28 |
|
Finglas South, Dublin 11 |
42 |
36 |
45 |
58 |
53 |
|
Kilmore West, Dublin 5 |
41 |
38 |
37 |
42 |
59 |
|
Lucan, Co. Dublin |
22 |
22 |
20 |
10 |
19 |
|
Rotunda, Dublin 1 |
37 |
29 |
28 |
43 |
39 |
|
Sandyford, Dublin 18 |
22 |
27 |
23 |
19 |
18 |
|
Summerhill, Dublin 1 |
31 |
52 |
77 |
76 |
67 |
|
Swords, Co. Dublin |
21 |
24 |
37 |
38 |
26 |
|
Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
184 |
161 |
146 |
144 |
162 |
|
Total |
1,092 |
1,072 |
1,090 |
1,212 |
1,317 |
* The participant numbers are taken from the ESF+ Participant returns, and are always subject to change.
