Ireland Minister of State Niall Collins has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to early intervention and youth justice reform, highlighting a multi-agency, community-driven strategy aimed at steering vulnerable young people away from crime and towards more positive life outcomes.
Delivering a closing statement in the Seanad, Minister Collins underscored the need for a “whole-of-government” approach, acknowledging that no single agency can address the complex social challenges facing at-risk youth in isolation. His Department, working in tandem with national and local partners, is piloting a “no wrong door” framework in six locations, aiming to close service gaps by coordinating support for young people and their families.
“It truly takes a village,” Minister Collins said, noting that aligning education, justice, youth services, and health agencies is key to building lasting, community-led solutions.
Youth Diversion and Accountability
The Minister was clear that diversion does not equate to leniency. Under the Children Act 2001, all children in conflict with the law must be considered for diversion unless involved in serious or repeat offending. Each case is evaluated on its individual circumstances, with serious offences still referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In 2024, restorative justice—where young offenders confront the impact of their actions—was used in nearly 300 referrals by An Garda Síochána under the Youth Diversion Programme (YDP). These encounters, Minister Collins explained, offer both accountability for offenders and validation for victims.
“Restorative justice empowers victims to be heard, fosters genuine remorse, and has been shown to reduce reoffending,” he said.
The Role of Gardaí and Community Investment
Community Gardaí and Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) were praised for their visible, constructive presence in young people’s lives. From running local sports initiatives to providing mentorship, Gardaí are central to building trust and deterring criminal influence.
The Government’s broader strategy also includes the newly enacted Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which mandates the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships nationwide. These partnerships will empower local stakeholders—residents, councils, Gardaí, and service providers—to co-develop safety plans tailored to local needs.
A National Office for Community Safety is also being established to guide and support these efforts. Minister Collins described these initiatives as critical in ensuring young people have access to services that are “engaging, responsive, and accessible.”
Targeted Funding for Safer Communities
The Community Safety Innovation Fund, launched in 2021, is another pillar of this strategy. Funded through the seizure of criminal assets by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), the initiative reinvests proceeds of crime into local projects—many of which focus on youth inclusion, crime prevention, and education.
“This fund turns the proceeds of criminality into community opportunity,” Minister Collins said. “It supports the work of those improving lives at the grassroots level.”
Looking Ahead
With the Youth Justice Strategy now at its midpoint, the Minister called for continued vigilance and cross-sector collaboration. While progress is being made, he acknowledged that many children with complex needs are still vulnerable to exploitation and criminal grooming.
“Every young person deserves the chance to make better choices,” Collins concluded. “We owe it to them—and to our communities—to keep building the systems and supports that make those choices possible.”
For more information on the Youth Justice Strategy, visit justice.ie.
Minister Niall Collins Picture from oireachtas.ie
