Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The Minister was further informed that Le Chéile informed the Garda Síochána, by letter dated 25 April 2005, of its intention to withdraw from the project and that it had offered a severance package to the co-ordinator, which was accepted.

The Garda authorities instructed local gardaí to ensure that all property purchased by the project with public funding and files on participants were accounted for. This property has been taken into Garda custody and all public funds unspent are under the control of the Garda Síochána.

It is anticipated that the project will be evaluated in accordance with the guidelines in the near future. Following this evaluation, a decision will be made on the feasibility of starting a new project under the Garda youth diversion project guidelines. As Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with responsibility for juvenile justice, I will raise this matter in the Department and will take a personal interest in it.

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