Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

Parents, community leaders, the Garda and project co-ordinators believe these projects are beneficial. The Garda is strongly committed to the principle and practice of youth diversion projects and believes they provide a diversion from criminal activity. The scheme has been 17 years in operation with approximately 100 existing projects and 68 more promised in the programme for Government. Will the Minister agree it is time for a national evaluation of the projects to decide their future direction? Such an evaluation would allow an assessment of how the projects contribute to improving the quality of life in communities and enhance Garda-community relations.

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