Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Baineann an cheist atá agam le cúrsaí cóiriúla atá ag dul ar aghaidh i gceantar Ghaoth Dobhair. Phlé mé seo cúpla seachtain ó shin sa Seanad nuair a bhí cuid mhór eachtraí ag titim amach sa cheantar ach is ceist eile í seo a bhaineann le tacaíocht a thabhairt d'ógánaigh an cheantair agus do na gardaí go mbeidh comhoibriú ann leis na hógánaigh ar dhóigh níos fearr.

Tá fóram bunaithe i nGaoth Dobhair, Fóram Ghaoth Dobhair, agus is páirtnéireacht é idir polaiteoirí, daoine atá gníomhach i gcúrsaí óige agus sa phobal, na cumainn trádála agus tráchtála agus na gardaí atá ag comhoibriú le chéile chun déileáil le cuid de na fadhbanna atá ann sa cheantar. Ceann de na rudaí a d'aithin an fóram sin i 2006 ná go raibh gá le Garda youth diversion project. Cuireadh iarratas isteach ag an phointe sin agus an cheist atá agam ná cad é stádas an iarratais sin faoi láthair.

The matter concerns the support that is required for youth in the Gweedore region. It deals with youths in a certain age group, namely, between 12 and 17 years. A number of years ago, a forum was established which saw co-operation between community leaders, politicians, the business community, those involved in working with youth on the frontline, the youths themselves and gardaí.

One of the points identified in that forum is the need for a Garda youth diversion project to be established in the Gweedore region. An application went subsequently to the Department and the Minister for what is called the "Gweedore justice project". This stems from the basic lack of facilities in the Gweedore region other than those for people involved in sport. I commend all those who voluntarily gave up their time to provide facilities, events and ideas, and forums for young people to attend. However, despite their best efforts there is still a lack of facilities.

Unfortunately, some of our young people between the ages of 12 and 17 have fallen into petty crime and have been involved in nuisances and disturbances and in other offences such as criminal damage, burglary, assault and unauthorised taking of mechanically propelled vehicles. These are just some of the issues the Garda identified over the period 2004 to 2006. In the figures I have for that period, there were 15 referrals in 2004, comprising six formal cautions, eight informal cautions and one file for direction. In 2005 that figure increased to 24 referrals, namely, 19 informal cautions and five formal cautions. In 2006 we saw an escalation in the seriousness of the incidents, which included five prosecutions. That is alarming for any community and, unfortunately, this community has seen different challenges in recent weeks.

The application for the Garda youth diversion project comes from an agreement or consultation between community leaders and politicians. I sit on the forum, as does the Garda, which identified this project as being beneficial to the community. I do not wish to give the impression there is a significant crime problem in the community. That is not what this project is about. It is about supporting young people so that when they fall under the radar of the Garda the force can divert them to the project instead of dealing with formal cautions and subsequent prosecutions. It is a way of keeping people away from crime and it is proactive and preventive.

I ask the Minister of State to take this on board. Over two years after the application went in, where does it stand?