Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the breakdown of the annual funding allocated specifically to tackling anti-social behaviour including the juvenile diversion programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12220/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Garda actions and initiatives to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour are part of the policing functions carried out by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the priority I have set to preserve peace and public order in co-operation with local communities, in particular by targeting disorder arising from binge drinking. One of the six strategic goals set out in the Garda Policing Plan for 2009 is to significantly reduce the incidence of public disorder and anti-social behaviour in our communities. Personnel, equipment and other resources are allocated at national and local level by Garda management to meet this and the other goals. This includes the provision of additional foot and mobile patrols in areas identified by Garda management as "hot spots" when offences are likely to occur.

The Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme is operated in accordance with the provisions of the Children Act 2001, and the necessary resources to achieve this are accordingly allocated.

The Garda Youth Diversion Projects, which are funded by the Irish Youth Justice Service, work in tandem with the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme. They are a crime prevention initiative designed to engage with young people aged 12-17 years of age who have been identified as being at risk of involvement in criminal or anti-social behaviour. Each project is managed by a multi-agency and community based committee, which is responsible for the strategic direction of the project. Garda Youth Diversion Projects were first introduced in 1991, and there are currently 100 Projects operating in different locations throughout the country.

These projects have been provisionally allocated funding totalling €8.666 million in 2009. There is also funding available to the Projects under the European Social Fund for the purposes of improving the employability of project participants. This ESF-supported programme within the Garda Youth Diversion Projects has been provisionally allocated funding of €3.850 million in 2009.