The number of children referred to Ireland’s Probation Service reached its highest level in ten years, with 609 referrals for young people aged 12-17 in 2024, representing a 10% increase from the previous year.
The Probation Service’s annual report shows 567 boys and 42 girls were referred for community-based supervision rather than custody. The figures reflect broader concerns about rising youth crime, with Oberstown Children’s Detention facility operating at full capacity.
The service handled 764 new court referrals for “young people” – including those under 18 and some over 18 allocated to Young Persons Probation for age-appropriate responses. A total of 690 supervision orders were granted, including 333 deferred penalty supervisions, 291 probation orders, and 35 community service orders.
Minister of State Niall Collins acknowledged the increased demand for Young People’s Probation services, emphasizing commitment to “improving outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality.”
Overall, the Probation Service managed a record 17,150 offenders in the community and worked with 3,521 prisoners in 2024. The most common offences leading to referrals were theft (18.5%), assault (17.4%), and drug offences (16.1%).
Community service orders totaled 222,245 hours – equivalent to 856 years of prison time – resulting in over €2.8 million worth of unpaid work, demonstrating the service’s role in rehabilitation and community contribution.