The Joint Committee on Drugs Use, chaired by Deputy Gary Gannon, met on Thursday, 4 December 2025, in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House to engage with witnesses on youth harm reduction, prevention and diversion. The Committee met with the following representatives: 

Mr John Fitzgerald, Area Manager Dublin City, Foróige
Mr Darren Shanahan, Senior Youth Officer, Drug Prevention & Education Initiative, Foróige
Ms Margaret Flanagan, Manager, Waterford and South Tipperary Community Youth Service, Youth Work Ireland
Ms Christina Fogarty, CEO, Waterford and South Tipperary Community Youth Service, Youth Work Ireland
Ms Jenny Courtney, CEO, Diamond Project
Mr Dwyane Horace, Senior Project Worker, Diamond Project

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Cathaoirleach, Deputy Gary Gannon, said: “Building on our discussion last week on the impact of substance misuse on young people, our meeting this week will focus on the community supports that reduce harm from drugs use and help young people to choose safer, healthier paths. Groups on the ground, including Youth Work Ireland, the Diamond Project and Foróige, are working in genuine partnership with young people and their families, and the Committee looks forward to engaging with our witnesses on how this work builds trusting relationships within communities that can, and has, encouraged positive change around substance misuse.”

The Joint Committee on Drugs Use has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.
  
The Committee meeting recording can be viewed on Oireachtas website.

Opening statements: 

• Darren Shanahan, Senior Youth Officer, Drug Prevention and Education Initiative, Foróige.
• Margaret Flanagan, Manager, Waterford and South Tipperary Community Youth Service, Youth Work Ireland
• Jenny Courtney, CEO, Diamond Project