Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the manner whereby garda youth diversion projects tailor their activities to ensure they address the patterns of offending behaviour in their specific area. [40298/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I presume the Deputy is referring to a new approach developed for Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) which is currently in the process of being implemented. This new approach was developed by the Irish Youth justice Service (IYJS) as a result of an analysis of projects which was carried out in 2008 and published earlier this year. The report on the findings, entitled "Designing effective local responses to youth crime" was drawn up to fulfil a key objective of the National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010, which was approved by Government in early 2008. Both of these documents are available on www.iyjs.ie.

Improving the effectiveness of diversionary measures is a key objective of this strategy and this report makes recommendations for the development of existing projects. The IYJS is working in partnership with An Garda Síochána in this endeavour.

These 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, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects also contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda/community relations.

The first two GYDPs were established in Dublin in 1991 and they have expanded gradually over the intervening years to reach the current figure of 100. Essentially they provide a resource to An Garda Síochána, and to Juvenile Liaison Officers in particular, in the implementation of the Diversion Programme as set out in Part 4 of the Children Act 2001. The dispersal of GYDPs across the country and their gradual expansion through a variety of youth organisations and local community groups resulted in a varied approach across projects to their crime prevention objectives.

The report outlines three specific improvement measures for GYDPs: 1. improved alignment of project activities with local youth crime patterns; 2. improved service design and development, to be implemented initially in five of the projects on a trial basis; and 3. improved knowledge and capacity across all Projects.

In addition, projects will be required to submit a detailed annual business plan which includes:

an analysis of the youth crime patterns in the project catchments area; and

a subsequent statement setting out how the project's proposed activities will impact on youth crime in the catchments area.

IYJS will require that the projects discuss and agree these items with respective local Garda management. The work of IYJS and An Garda Síochána in improving the effectiveness of the diversion projects will be monitored by the National Youth Justice Strategy Oversight Group throughout the life of the strategy.

The Deputy will be aware that GYDPs are funded by the IYJS, through An Garda Síochána.