Gaisce – The President’s Award is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with the Department of Justice. Starting in 2024, the Department of Justice will support the cost of registration for participants in Youth Diversion Projects for the Gaisce Awards programme.
The Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne TD made the announcement as he opened the annual Youth Diversion Project Conference at Croke Park on Tuesday 7th November 2023.
Making the announcement, Minister Browne said: “I am delighted to announce that we will fund the registration of service users of YDPs for the Gaisce programme, which will help young people build important life skills and give back to their communities. Funding registration will remove a barrier to participation for many, and also open up positive new pathways for young people. It will significantly help to reduce the barriers to participation in Gaisce by young people in youth diversion projects.”
Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce said: “This new initiative is an important commitment by the Department of Justice and Equality, and we would like to thank the Department for this significant investment in young people by supporting Youth Diversion Projects. There is a need now more than ever to support young people in terms of building their empathy, sense of belonging in their communities, confidence and skills through purposeful and fun personal development challenges, and the achievement of a Gaisce Award is proven to deliver on these outcomes. We look forward to working closely with the Department over the coming months to further build on and develop opportunities for young people in youth justice.”