Irish Youth Justice Service

Responsibilities

The Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) is an executive office of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with responsibility for leading and driving reform in the area of youth justice.

Working with the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the IYJS is guided by the principles of the Children Act 2001. The IYJS funds organisations and projects providing services, including Garda and Probation Projects, to young people aged under 18 years who find themselves in conflict with the law. These children may be involved with An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and the Courts Service. We are also responsible for the management and development of children detention facilities.

Our remit is to improve the delivery of youth justice services and reduce youth offending. This challenge is met by focusing on diversion and rehabilitation involving greater use of community based interventions and the promotion of initiatives to deal with young people who offend. Providing a safe and secure environment for detained children and supporting their early re-integration back into the community is also a key function.

We are currently implementing the National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010 which was launched in March 2008. The purpose of the strategy is to develop a co-ordinated partnership approach among Departments and agencies working in the youth justice system.

Staff

Contact

• Telephone: 01 476 8673
• Fax: 01 476 8616
• Website: http://www.iyjs.ie
• Address: Irish Youth Justice Service,
  Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform,
  Montague Court,
  7-11 Montague Street,
  Dublin 2