SINN Féin senator Joanne Collins has commended the Rathkeale Youth Diversion Programme for making a real difference in her local town.
Re-launched earlier this year, Senator Collins believes that such programmes should be the norm and not be the exception.
Youth workers in Rathkeale, she said, are doing vital work building relationships, preventing anti-social behaviour, and offering young people pathways away from crime.
“Rathkeale has often been unfairly stereotyped, but this programme is helping to build trust, opportunity, and hope, not just for young people, but for the entire community,” Senator Collins told the <em>Limerick Post</em>.
“This is exactly what youth diversion is meant to do; support, not punish; guide, not judge. And in Rathkeale, we are seeing how impactful that approach can be when it’s community-led, properly resourced, and built on respect. However, programmes like this should not be the exception. These programmes should be the norm, across all our towns and villages.”
Senator Collins called on the Minister for Justice in the Seanad to commit to sustained funding for Rathkeale to allow this programme to grow and deepen its impact.
She also called for the expansion of Youth Diversion Programmes across all major towns, villages, and urban centres in Ireland, particularly those facing social disadvantage.
“Every young person deserves the chance to be supported and every community deserves the safety and cohesion that youth diversion can bring. Let’s back these programmes, back our youth workers, and back our young people,” Senator Collins concluded.
