The Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau (GNYDB) has responsibility for overseeing and developing the Diversion Programme nationally, which was put on a statutory basis under Part 4 of the Children Act 2001.
The remit of the GNYDB includes the administration, coordination and development of the Diversion Programme nationally. It holds an oversight position on all aspects of youth referrals and the Programme supports Garda districts and divisions in ensuring effective governance and the timely processing of referrals.
It also supports a network of JLO Sergeants and JLO Gardaí distributed across every Garda division countrywide. There is an appointed Director of the Diversion Programme at Superintendent Rank. The Director’s role is provided for under section 20 (1) Children Act 2001 and is a statutory position.
The Aim of the Diversion Programme
The aim of the Diversion Programme is to prevent young people between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age from entering into the criminal justice system. Diverting young people from committing further offences is another intended outcome of the Programme. For certain serious crimes*, young people aged 10 and 11 will be considered for inclusion in the Programme.
When a young person comes to the attention of An Garda Síochána because of their alleged criminal or anti-social behaviour, they are required by law (S.18 of the Children Act 2001) to be first considered for the Diversion Programme. In order to be considered for inclusion in the Diversion Programme, the young person must be under 18 years of age, accept responsibility for the offending behaviour, agree to be cautioned and, where appropriate, agree to the terms of supervision.
The Director’s decision on whether or not to admit a young person to the Diversion Programme is based on a number of factors, such as the nature of the offence, the impact of the offence on the community, the views of the victim, and the offending history of the young person.
If a child is deemed suitable for inclusion to the Diversion Programme, a JLO will be assigned to the child and they will administer a caution to the child. A caution may include a period of supervision where the JLO will continuously monitor the child’s progress in line with the plan they have agreed upon to reduce the likelihood of the child re-offending.
In addition, where other needs are identified, the young person will be referred to a Garda Youth Diversion Project (if one is available in their area) or other clubs or projects in their community. If a child is deemed unsuitable for admission to the Diversion Programme, the Director will issue a signed certificate deeming them unsuitable for this offence.
* Section 129(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006
The Age Card Scheme was introduced as a measure to tackle the sale to and the consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of 18.
It was provided for in Section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1988 was enacted in Statutory Instrument No 4 of 1999 signed on the 19th January 1999 and came into operation on the 19th April 1999.
On the 14th July 2003, Section 34A of the Intoxicating Liquor Act of 2003 introduced the following additional regulation: "The holder of a licence of any licensed premises shall not allow a person who is aged at least 18 years but under the age of 21 years to be in the bar of those premises between 9.00pm and 10:30 am on the following day (12.30p.m. if the following day is a Sunday) if the person does not produce an age document to the holder".
The current Age Card incorporates the most advanced security features available and was launched on the 24th April 2007.
The new online Age Card ordering and payment process was launched on the 1st January 2011.
To apply for an Age Card visit www.agecard.ie
Garda National Youth Diversion Projects (GNYDPs) are funded by the Department of Justice and Equality through the Community Programmes Unit of Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) and co-funded under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.
They are managed by IYJS in partnership with Community Based Organisations and the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau.
There are 105 GNYDPs located in communities across the country. These projects deliver community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives primarily seeking to divert young people who have been involved in anti-social and /or criminal behaviour.
GNYDPs provide young people with programmes and interventions, with a focus on reducing offending and recidivism and to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long term-employability prospects.
Projects work with young people aged 12 and 18 years of age who are significantly at risk of becoming involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. GNYDPs also work with 10-11 year olds at the discretion of the referral assessment committee. GNYDPs contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and build a positive relationship between An Garda Síochána and the communities we serve.
The project works with the young person and sets an individual plan of intervention for him/her to assist the individual in an examination of their decision making process, focusing on the actions that may have led them to offend and on the need for change.