Historical Background
Establishment of the Irish Youth Justice Service
In December 2005, following a review of the youth justice system, the Government agreed a programme to implement youth justice reforms. These reforms included the establishment of the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) as an executive office of the Department of Justice and Equality and a number of key legislative amendments to the Children Act 2001.
To read the Report on the Youth Justice Review, please click here .
Establishment of the Irish Youth Justice Service
The Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) was established in December 2005 with a remit to improve the delivery of youth justice services and reduce youth offending. 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-ordinate 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