2636. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the proposals to establish new youth diversion projects in Cavan and Monaghan. [63964/26]

The Government has fulfilled its commitment in the Youth Justice Strategy to ensure the availability of Youth Diversion Projects (YDP) throughout the State. Every young person in Ireland now has access to a youth diversion service. Cavan 365 and Monaghan Neighbourhood Youth Project (MNYP) are the YDPs in Cavan and Monaghan respectively, both operating in partnership with Foróige as the Community Based Organisation.

The Government’s focus on diversion and early interventions is a keystone of 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.

This Department has, in recent years, significantly increased funding for youth justice initiatives. The budget allocation for Youth Justice measures has almost doubled from 2020 to 2026, and the total allocation for youth justice measures is now €43 million. With these funds, YDPs employ dedicated Youth Justice workers who respond daily to the needs of young people across the country. More than 570 full-time equivalent youth justice workers have been recruited in recent years.