As a result, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform commissioned the centre for social and educational research at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Rathmines, in 2001 to prepare comprehensive guidelines for the establishment, operation, management and administration of the projects. The guidelines were launched by the Minister in May 2003. The purpose of the guidelines is to act as a benchmark against which applications for new projects are to be evaluated on an ongoing basis. They should be viewed as an aid to new and existing Garda youth diversion projects on their establishment, operation, administration and monitoring. The guidelines set out best practice regarding preventative activities and interventions in dealing with marginalised young people. They will also act as a practical aid to projects and their management committees and co-ordinators.