The Evaluation report on Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) was launched on 13 June 2023 by Minister of State James Browne TD.1,2 This was the first evaluation report on YDPs1 and was carried out by Research Matters Ltd between December 2021 and November 2022. The central aim was to create policy-relevant information relating to the structure, conduct, and impact of YDPs. 

Context of report

YDPs target young people aged 12 to 17 years who are part of communities with a detected need or where youths are at risk of continuing to be involved with the criminal justice system. 

On 16 December 2022, the Department of Justice provided an update on the progress made in addressing the objectives and key actions identified in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021–2027 (YJS).1,2,3 The YJS is centred on a developmental framework that aims to target ongoing and emerging challenges in youth justice in Ireland.2 A key strength of this strategy is that its development was informed by an expert steering group representing key stakeholders across Ireland. The implementation statement focuses on several strategic objectives identified in Appendix 3 of the strategy.2

As part of the What Works: Sharing Knowledge, Improving Children’s Futures initiative of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), Minister Roderic O’Gorman TD launched the What Works Ireland Evidence Hub on 31 May 2023.1

What Works Ireland Evidence Hub

The What Works Ireland Evidence Hub is an online tool that enables users to search for prevention and early intervention (PEI) programmes that have been evaluated and found to improve one or more of a set of specified outcomes in children and young people. 
The target audience for the hub includes service commissioners, policymakers, practitioners, and evaluators. 

The Model of Care for Dual Diagnosis, approved by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Chief Clinical Officer Forum and endorsed by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, was formally launched on 23 May 2023 by Mary Butler TD, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, and Hildegarde Naughton TD, Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy.1

The term ‘dual diagnosis’ is used to describe a person who presents with a simultaneous mental health disorder and a substance use disorder (SUD). However, dual diagnosis can often be defined in different terms internationally. While dual diagnosis is not unusual, research suggests that up to one-half of those attending HSE Community Mental Health Teams also have a comorbid SUD.