Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Or Dundalk.

As the Deputy will be aware, the publication and implementation of the recommendations of the Drogheda scoping report are key actions in my Department's justice plan for 2021. They are certainly a priority for me, as I know they are for the Deputy and others. I am grateful to the former director of the Probation Service, Mr. Vivian Geiran, who made over 70 recommendations in his scoping report on short- and long-term responses to challenges the community faces in Drogheda. We know, and we have seen, the challenges that the community faces there, but also the huge amount of community spirit that exists. The reason we are going to make significant progress is because of the work that we will do with the community. It includes measures around crime prevention, youth services, drug addiction, education, infrastructure and community development. The recommendations highlight the need for improved inter-agency co-operation in the administration and delivery of State services in Drogheda and the surrounding areas, as well as the need to provide additional resources, money and services in certain areas where they do not exist or where they need to be expanded or supported more.

In July, the acting Minister of Justice, Deputy Humphreys, obtained Government approval for an implementation plan for the report. The Government also committed to a special focus on Drogheda, including Departments and State agencies prioritising necessary funding applications for projects related to the Drogheda implementation plan. I am aware it is extremely important for the groups, that where there is a request or an ask, Departments prioritise it. The Government has signed off and agreed to that.

The implementation plan identifies the relevant stakeholders for each recommendation and outlines the next steps for engagement and delivery. The plan will be a living, breathing document and will be reviewed by my Department each quarter, with progress reports produced twice yearly. This will facilitate ongoing engagement and consultation. My Department has completed the first internal quarterly review and the first progress report will be produced within the first six months of the implementation plan in quarter 1 of 2022.

There have already been some very positive steps in the plan. The Department of Education has provided supports to the three schools identified in the report, and my Department has provided further funding to the Red Door Project to ensure the continued provision of other important services. Funding has also been committed to the Moneymore Consortium to support its planning work, and to the Moneymore Childcare Centre to ensure the continuation of services. Additional funding is also being allocated. Perhaps I will touch on the structure in my next response.

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