Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has commenced the evaluation of the effectiveness of existing Garda youth diversion projects as committed to by the Minister of State with responsibility for children; when it will be completed; the aspects of best practice he will be examining in his evaluation of the programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40945/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Youth Justice Service has commenced an evaluation of the effectiveness of existing Garda Youth Diversion Projects in accordance with High Level Goal 2 in the National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010 which is, to work to reduce offending by diverting young people from offending behaviour. In doing so, it is intended to identify where good practice exists and promote best practice in the delivery of programmes, which aim to reduce offending, under the Garda Youth Diversion Projects.

As a first step, an audit of existing Garda Youth Diversion Projects has just been completed and its recommendations will be considered by the IYJS and the Garda authorities as soon as possible.