Minister of State for Youth Justice, James Browne TD, attends the Crosscare YDP Challenge

Today Minister of State with responsibility for Youth Justice, James Browne TD, attended the Crosscare Youth Diversion Project (YDP) challenge, held as part of Crosscare's YDP camp.

The camp runs for three days and is an opportunity for Crosscare to give their new Harder to Engage Outdoor Learning staff a chance to run activities for their 12 YDPs with support from their full time Outdoor Learning Team.

The challenge forms part of the camp and consisted of a number of team activities. Minister Browne presented awards to the participating teams and, speaking at the challenge said:

"The work of the Youth Diversion Projects is a vital, community based, support to the Garda Diversion Programme. The opportunity for staff to gather together over the three days of this camp to share their knowledge and expertise with each other will no doubt bring about significant and lasting change to the lives of many harder to reach young people."

The Minister also noted:

"Youth diversion is not about young people avoiding punishment or consequences. It is about recognising that many young people who do stray from the proper path simply need support and direction to get their lives back on track.

The work of the YDPs benefits everyone in our communities as they work to promote pro-social activities and outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality.

I have visited many of the Youth Diversion Projects nationally in recent years and I have been struck by the dedication, commitment and passion of those who work in the Projects.

I am delighted to be able to support Crosscare in this initiative today."

The Department of Justice provides funding to the YDPs and, 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 €30.24 million.

This funding will be deployed with the assistance of the best available research and expert evidence to keep young people away from crime.

The Department has provided grant funding to Crosscare for this event.

Notes to editor:

Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour.

There are over 100 YDPs throughout the State providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote pro-social behaviour and improve long term employability prospects for participants.

Expansion of the network of YDPs to provide national coverage to every child or young person who requires the service is a key commitment of the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027

YDPs act as a vital support to the statutory Garda Youth Diversion Programme provided for under Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended) and are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

Crosscare are a community based organisation that provides supports to young people, refugees, migrants and emigrants as well as homeless, housing and welfare supports.