Press release
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister of State James Browne announce new Youth Diversion Projects
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Published on
Last updated on
Important milestone on commitment to make the YDP service available to every young person who needs it.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne have today confirmed the selection of four new Youth Diversion Projects to receive funding.
Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes.
They are a key support to An Garda Síochána in the operation of the statutory Garda Youth Diversion Programme under the Children Act 2001.
Funding for YDPs and other Youth Justice measure has increased substantially in recent years, from €18 million in 2020 to a total allocation of just over €30 million in Budget 2023.
The four successful applications have been chosen in areas - Monaghan, Wicklow, Cork and Mayo - which have been selected for new YDPs following an open application and appraisal process. They will receive funding of at least €1.5 million this year.
The announcements of the new YDPs brings the government closer to achieving its target of having full national coverage of YDPs, ensuring that a service is available to every young person who needs it.
Another two YDPs are needed to achieve national rollout, and these are expected to be announced over the coming months.
There are currently 106 YDPs across the State and the additional four will, when operational, bring that total to 110.
These include eight Youth Diversion Projects covering the Dublin City Centre area which work with those between 12-17 years old and 8-11 years old, as well as providing family supports. These eight projects have received more than €3.2 million in total funding this year.
Speaking today, Minister McEntee said:
“I am committed to building stronger, safer communities and, while high visibility policing is important, I know this goal cannot be achieved by policing alone.
”We must also look at wider solutions to ensure our communities are safe places for people to live, work and bring up their families in.
“By improving outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality we can make a lasting difference to the quality of life not just for young people, but for the entire community.
“The funding we provide for youth diversion is always guided by the best available research and expert evidence to keep young people away from crime.
“My colleague Minister Browne is doing excellent work in implementing the Youth Justice Strategy and we are both determined to see full national coverage for YDPs over the coming months.”
Today’s announcement follows the publication of the first YDP Evaluation Report in June by Minister Browne. 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.
Minister McEntee added:
“The evaluation report shows that interventions by our YDPs result in young people becoming less involved in crime and anti-social behaviour and more hopeful about their futures.
“We will continue to look at how we can support at-risk young people through youth diversion interventions. The most recent funding round for YDPs specifically sought proposals on how to interact more successfully with the ‘harder to reach’ cohort, which included ensuring that there is interaction at weekends.
“The selected applications will also all include dedicated family support workers and will provide a variety of family support programmes and assistance.”
Minister Browne said:
“The selection of these new projects is another important step towards the achievement of the Youth Justice Strategy’s commitment to having YDP services available in all areas across the State. I’ve been lucky to visit YDPs the length and breadth of the country and have seen the positive impacts that they have on young people and local communities, something which was highlighted in the recent YDP evaluation.
“Youth justice interventions are not about young people avoiding punishment or consequences. They are about recognising that many young people who stray from the proper path need support and direction to get their lives back on track.
“I want to congratulate all those involved in the four successful projects. Every euro we invest in our children’s future will pay back in spades and, when operational, these new Youth Diversion Projects will offer the type of early interventions and supports that can put at-risk young people on a better path.”
Youth Diversion Projects are co-funded by the Irish Government and European Social Fund as part of the ESF+ Programme 2021-2027.
The Call for Proposals in November 2022 invited proposals from Community and youth service organisations to establish new Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) in South Monaghan, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, South and West Co. Wicklow and West Cork.
YDPs are community based, multi-agency, youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seeks to divert young people involved or at risk of becoming involved in criminal/anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects.
They are a key support to An Garda Síochána in the operation of the statutory Garda Youth Diversion Programme under the Children's Act 2001.
The projects are primarily targeted at 12-17 year old “at risk” young people in communities where a specific need has been identified and where there is a risk of them coming into contact with or remaining within the justice system.
By doing so, the projects contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda and Community relationships.
There are currently 106 YDPs across the State. The 4 successful projects that have been selected will, when operational, bring that total to 110.
In addition to the four new YDPs, the Department of Justice is undertaking discussions with colleagues in other agencies and departments on trialling an approach to integrated commissioning, and implementation of the “no wrong door” principle.
In total, six areas have been identified to pilot the collaborative process with two areas of these identified for new YDPs. Consultations in establishing these YDPs is well underway with a call for expressions of interest to go out in Q1 2024.
In Budget 2023, a further €2.5 million in funding was allocated to youth justice services, increasing the total budget allocation for the YDPs and other youth justice projects to just over €30 million. This funding will be deployed with the assistance of the best available research and expert evidence to keep young people away from crime.