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

I fully agree. I acknowledge the youth diversion projects in my own county. Knowing the fantastic work they do with young people, it is absolutely vital that they are supported. The Department has identified gaps and is looking at areas in which the current 105 YDPs cannot provide the needed service and support through expansion. This list has not been finalised and we will need to have further engagement with An Garda Síochána but the provisional list identifies south and west Wicklow, south Monaghan, Claremorris and some surrounding areas, part of north Tipperary including Thurles and Templemore, west Cork north of Bandon and east Clare. This will go to public consultation and expressions of interest will be sought. These areas have already been identified and we are engaging with An Garda Síochána. This is something that will be of interest to the Deputy. It is about trying to expand the services that are there. That is where the additional funding provided in the last two weeks is going. However, I acknowledge that more work needs to be done. That €780,000 has been set aside specifically to expand into some of those areas which the Deputy has noted as not having been covered to date.

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