Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2022
13. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda youth diversion projects in Cork city and county; if there are plans over the coming months to extend the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52187/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth myself and Minister McEntee are very aware that youth crime, including anti-social behaviour, can have a major impact on our communities, and poses significant challenges for An Garda Síochána, as well as other Justice agencies.
The factors which underlie youth crime have significant implications across a range of areas of policy and service provisions, including Child and Family Services, Health, Education and local authority functions.
Diverting young people away from crime requires a whole of Government response, and is at the heart of the Youth Justice Strategy that I launched in April last year.
I was pleased to secure an additional allocation of €6.7m in Budget 2022 and a further €2.5m in 2023, bringing the total available Youth Justice services budget to almost €24m. The 2023 allocation will allow for continued good work in this field, backed by evidence based policy and practice. It will also ensure the delivery of key objectives in the Youth Justice Strategy.
A top priority is the expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by the Youth Diversion Projects, which are fully funded by my Department. These projects provide an invaluable support to complement the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing youth crime and protect local communities.
I can inform the Deputy that there are currently 13 Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) operating in Co. Cork, and they have received a total funding allocation of over €2 million for this year. All of Cork North Garda Division is covered by three projects based in Cobh, Mallow and Youghal. A mobile service with dedicated staff covers the remainder of the Division.
Cork City Division has 8 projects, which take referrals from the entire Cork City Division. In the Cork West Division, a project covers both Bandon and Kinsale towns and their immediate hinterland.
A public call for proposals to expand YDP coverage in Cork and a number of other areas in the State will issue from my Department in the coming months. Youth services and other community organisations will be able to participate in this process. Successful applicants will need to be registered charities, among other governance requirements.
This level of funding will enable us to achieve national coverage for youth diversion projects, so that they are available in every part of the country, to every young person who might benefit from their services.
It will also allow for more targeted work, where it is needed, for children who have proven hardest to reach to date. Funding of community-based organisations, to give special support to parents and families, including children under the age of twelve is a critical element of the necessary support.
