6th May 2016
IPRT warmly welcomes the statement issued yesterday (5th May 2016) by Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD that an additional €1.57m is to be provided for youth justice initiatives from the Dormant Accounts Fund under the 2016 Action Plan. This funding will support what Minister Fitzgerald describes as "very worthwhile youth justice community-based projects" managed by the Irish Youth Justice Service.
IPRT has long advocated for increased investment in diversion programmes and initiatives for young people in conflict with the law, and for the extension of such programmes - which have been demonstrated to be effective with young people aged under 18 - to young adults aged up to 24. This should happen alongside wider investment in prevention and early intervention strategies.
The 2016 funding will support a range of Garda Youth Diversion and Young Persons Probation projects through major refurbishment works to premises in Moyross, Co. Limerick and Ballyfermot, Dublin; the provision of additional youth justice workers in Cloyne and Dublin; recruitment of a QQI FETAC Co-ordinator in the Midlands; the development of a Community Garden Project in Cabra, Dublin; and provision of a community minibus for a Garda Youth Diversion Project in Dublin.
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Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.