National Youth Justice Strategy

The National Youth Justice Strategy focuses on children who have already had some contact with the criminal justice system. The aim of the strategy is to provide a partnership approach among agencies working in the youth justice system. It is based on the principles of the Children Act 2001 and the Government’s decision to reform the youth justice area. The strategy contains five high-level goals:

  1. To provide leadership and build public confidence in the youth justice system
  2. To work to reduce offending by diverting young people from offending behaviour
  3. To promote the greater use of community sanctions and initiatives to deal with young people who offend
  4. To provide a safe and secure environment for detained children which will assist their early re-integration into the community
  5. To strengthen and develop information and data sources in the youth justice system to support more effective policies and services

The strategy was launched in Farmleigh on 27 March, 2008 by Minister for Children Brendan Smith. It covers the three-year period from 2008 to 2010. The National Youth Justice Oversight Group, which the Minister for Children established to facilitate the cross-agency collaboration needed, directs the strategy at national level. The group is chaired by Ms. Sylda Langford, Director General of the Office of the Minister for Children, and also includes Ms. Michelle Shannon, National Director of the Irish Youth Justice Service, Mr. Aidan Browne, CEO of the Children Acts Advisory Board, Ms. Mary Doyle, Assistant Secretary from the Department of the Taoiseach, Mr. Hugh Kane from the Health Service Executive,  Ms. Louis Harkin, Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and Mr. Paddy McDonagh, Assistant Secretary from the Department of Education and Science. Officials from other departments and agencies may also be involved to report on progress in the areas under their remit.

At local level, where appropriate, Youth Justice Teams will be established as sub-groups of Children’s Services Committees to enhance delivery of outcomes for the children involved.