The Monitoring Committee provides support to the Diversion Programme and Garda Youth Diversion Office (GYDO) by identifying and highlighting areas that can be improved upon and by making recommendations to ensure the Diversion Programme continues to be an effective means in diverting children from crime and the criminal justice system. The 2018 Annual Report reflects the activities of the Monitoring Committee and the Diversion Programme during 2018. It highlights the developments that occurred during the year, identifies the current challenges and risks to the Diversion Programme, and provides statistics relating to the operation of the Programme in 2018. Having monitored the effectiveness of the Diversion Programme throughout 2018 through the meetings of the Committee and engagement with GYDO, a number of recommendations have been set out for 2019.