Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) Office

Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) 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 Youth Diversion Bureau.

There are 105 GYDPs 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.

GYDPs 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. GYDPs also work with 10-11 year olds at the discretion of the referral assessment committee. GYDPs contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and build a positive relationship between An Garda Siochana 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.