71. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to expand youth diversion and early intervention programmes aimed at preventing criminal activity among young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35443/26]

I am very pleased that this Government has, in recent years, significantly increased the funding for youth justice initiatives. The budget allocation for Youth Justice measures has increased by 144% from 2020 to 2026. Following a significant increase of €7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding as part of Budget 2026, the total allocation for youth justice measures is now €43 million.

The Government’s focus on diversion and early interventions is a keystone in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027. The strategy emphasises early intervention, prevention, family support and community engagement. It is aimed at promoting positive behavioural change and targeting this behaviour so that we can break the cycle of offending by young people.

Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. The intention of this programme is to divert children, aged 12-17 years old, who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the Criminal Justice system and towards more positive pro-social behaviour and life choices.

Young people who are deemed suitable by the Director of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme are referred to local Youth Diversion Projects, where, in collaboration with a Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer, these Projects provide supports to children to address their behaviour, engage in positive self-development, and connect with their communities.

While there has been an approximate 25% increase in the population of 12-17 year olds over the past ten years, the number or children coming to the attention of the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has remained steady, pointing to an actual reduction in youth offending. Between 2012 and 2022, there has been a drop in total criminal incidents involving children of 35% and a reduction of 31% in the number of children in detention over the past ten years.

There are currently 94 Youth Diversion Projects across the country that are funded by my Department. With these funds, these Projects employ dedicated Youth Justice workers who respond daily to the needs of young people across the country. Every young person in Ireland now has access to a youth diversion service.

The Department also funds specialised Youth Justice Workers and Programmes in Youth Diversion Projects catering to Early Intervention, Family Support and Harder-to-Reach, serious and prolific young offenders.

The Department, in collaboration with the Probation Service, also operates a number of initiatives distinctly designed to address serious and prolific youth offending for those who may be deemed unsuitable for diversion, these are: the Greentown Programme, the Bail Supervision Scheme and targeted interventions for children who are harder to reach in terms of addressing prolific and serious offending.