Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 561: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to develop youth diversion programmes in the near future in view of the good work carried out to date and the need for such interventions in towns (details supplied) in County Donegal; if he will make a statement on the way applications are made and the way they are formally included in any such expansion of the scheme. [25645/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Garda Youth Diversion Projects are community based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved (or further involved) in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development and promote civic responsibility. The Garda Youth Diversion Projects are funded by my Department and administered through Garda Community Relations Section of An Garda Síochána.

Garda Youth Diversion Project Guidelines have been developed to deal with the establishment, operation, administration and monitoring of projects. In accordance with the Guidelines, proposals to establish new Garda Youth Diversion Projects are forwarded to the Garda Commissioner for consideration and recommendation to my Department. Projects are established when resources permit and in locations where it is considered this method of intervention is most needed.

There are currently 64 Garda Youth Diversion Projects and 7 Local Drugs Task Force Projects in operation. Funding for the projects was increased by €1.2 million to a total of €6.6 million for 2006. It is my intention to expand the scheme to 100 projects by the end of 2007. To this end, I have received recommendations from the Garda Commissioner regarding the establishment of ten new projects and I am hoping to announce the establishment of these in the near future.

No expression of interest in having a project established has been received to date from any group in the localities referred to by the Deputy. However, any application received will be carefully considered.