572. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if youth diversion programmes undertake drug addiction prevention initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73695/25]

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: The Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 is a whole of government plan to take a coordinated strategic and tactical approach to the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system.

Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are a key element of the Youth Justice Strategy, play a vital role in enhancing community safety and are fully funded by my Department. YDPs are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour such as illicit drug related activity.

A number of YDPs engage in targeted drugs and alcohol related preventative work. This work is varied and includes the following:

• Raising awareness levels of young people, parents and other interested groups with regard to the issue of drugs;
• Developing initiatives and programmes that are educational and preventative in nature for young people who are at risk from drug use and misuse;
• Working with agencies and voluntary groups to develop a coordinated approach to this work and developing activities and programmes of interest to young people;
• Providing one-to-one support for young people who experience difficulties at various times in their lives;
• Carrying out street work to reach young people;
• Running programmes jointly with other community organisations;
• Provide family support for parents/guardians and young people experiencing problematic drug/alcohol use.

On average, the YDPs engage with between 3,500 and 4,000 young people across the State in any one year. Increased funding has facilitated an increase in the availability of YDP services during evenings and weekends when many young people need them the most, as well as an increases in supports for families, early interventions for 8–11-year-olds who may be at increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity and Harder-to-Reach programmes throughout the State.