1,700 young people in Cork referred to Garda youth diversion scheme since start of 2023

Nearly 1,700 young people have been referred to the Garda youth diversion programme in Cork since the start of 2023, new figures from the Department of Justice show.

The programme, which aims to prevent young offenders and children involved in anti-social behaviour committing further offences and entering the adult criminal justice system, received 20% additional funding in Budget 2026.

Data provided by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan shows that a total of 1,694 young people have been referred to the Garda youth diversion programme in Cork since the beginning of 2023.

The figure includes 802 in Cork city — 291 in 2023, 253 in 2024, and 258 up to October 7 this year. The monthly average for 2025 is 29, up from 21 last year and 24 in 2023, suggesting that this year could see a new high in referrals.

In Cork county, a total of 892 people have been referred — 339 in 2023, 336 in 2024, and 217 in 2025 so far. This year’s monthly average of 24 is lower than the 28 in the two previous years.

Mr O’Callaghan said that he was “committed to improving outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality through investment in youth justice services”.

“The statutory framework relating to young offenders (between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age), and inclusion in the Garda youth diversion programme, is set out in the Children Act 2001,” said Mr O’Callaghan.

“The act provides that where a young person under 18 years of age is responsible for committing a crime, the young person shall be considered for admission to the youth diversion programme.

“In order for a young person to be admitted to the programme, the child must take responsibility for their offending behaviour, agree to be cautioned by a garda, and, when appropriate, agree to terms of supervision.”

The youth diversion programme is supported by a network of youth diversion projects, community-based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or anti-social behaviour and to support wider preventative work within the community and with families at risk.

Funding for youth diversion projects and other youth justice measures has increased substantially in recent years, from €18m in 2020 to a total allocation of just over €36m in 2025, said Mr O’Callaghan.

He added that a significant allocation of €7.3m in additional core exchequer funding for youth justice measures was announced as part of Budget 2026.