Overview of the Irish Youth Justice Service

What is the Irish Youth Justice Service?

The Irish Youth Justice Service was established in December 2005 and Ms Michelle Shannon appointed as the National Director in April 2006. The main responsibilities of IYJS are to:

• Develop a unified youth justice policy
• Devise and develop a national strategy to deliver this policy and service 
• Link this strategy where appropriate with other child related strategies 
• Manage and develop children detention facilities  
• Manage the implementation of provisions of the Children Act 2001 which relate to community sanctions, restorative justice conferencing and diversion 
• Co-ordination of service delivery at both national and local level 
• Establish and support consultation and liaison structures with key stakeholders including at local level to oversee the delivery of this service and response
• Develop and promote information sources for the youth justice sector to inform further strategies, policies and programmes
  

Mission Statement

To create a safer society by working in partnership to reduce youth offending through appropriate interventions and linkages into services.

IYJS Staff

The IYJS is an executive office of The Department of Justice and Equality. Its National Director is Ms. Michelle Shannon. The IYJS has both policy and operational roles in the youth justice system. To carry out the service, a number of administrative staff have been appointed, as well as a national manager for the children detention schools, Ms. Mary Geaney.