New Youth Diversion Projects for East Clare and North Tipperary

The DERG YDP represents a “significant expansion” of youth justice services in the region, following the amalgamation of the existing DEN YDP and the newly established East Clare YDP in late 2025.

The project will operate from two bases in Nenagh and Killaloe and serve a catchment area with a population of approximately 62,750 people.

YDPs work with young people who are at risk of becoming involved in anti-social or criminal behavior, supporting them to make positive choices and stay out of the criminal justice system.

Mr Collins said: “This is an important day for this community and a significant moment for youth justice services. Today marks the day of a strengthened Youth Diversion Project that will provide critical supports to young people and families across a wide are in East Clare and North Tipperary.

“One of the most important things that YDPs do is help to strengthen the relationship between young people and their families. They help young people to gain a sense of civic responsibility and positive engagement with their communities.

“So today as we officially launch the DERG Youth Diversion Project, we are doing more than just opening a new service. We are strengthening our community response to youth offending and we are supporting and guiding children who need help and opportunity.”

The DERG YDP is operated by Foróige and is funded by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

For 2026, the project received €570,037 to support a team of eight Youth Justice workers delivering a range of targeted interventions.

The most common offences included theft, criminal damage, assault and traffic-related offences.

Mr Collins added: “This project has been launched in the context of the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027, which sets out the Governments vision for youth justice in Ireland. It prioritises prevention, diversion, family support and rehabilitation.

“A key commitment of Government is the expansion of the YDP network, to ensure their services are available to every young person who needs them. I am delighted that with today’s launch we have now achieved full nationwide coverage of YDPs.”

This project will help to deliver early intervention supports for children aged 8 to 11 who are at risk of future involvement in anti-social behavior, alongside dedicated family support services, reflecting the expanded remit of YDPs under the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027.

The DERG YDP will work in close partnership with An Garda Síochána, local schools, community organisations and other statutory services to deliver a coordinated response to youth offending in the region.