Written answers

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Department of Justice and Equality

Youth Justice Strategy

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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327. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the arrangements that will be in place in terms of transfer of undertakings and protection of employment for staff and in terms of funding for redundancies that will occur in projects that lose out in the tendering process in relation to changes following the call for proposals process in relation to GYDP services in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12225/18]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware my Department is obliged to carry out an open Call for Proposals process during 2018 in relation to the provision of GYDP services, to fully comply with requirements related to the co-funding of projects by the European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.

I can assure the Deputy that in the context of the Call for Proposals my Department is committed to doing everything feasible to ensure continuity of service for participants on GYDPs and maintain a community driven approach to their operation, as well as minimising any disruption for workers and service providers. In this regard, I am advised that the Call for Proposals process will facilitate existing service providers forming consortiums which could apply to provide services under the new GYDP model.

However, my Department is very much aware of concerns expressed by youth justice workers and their representatives. I can assure the Deputy that careful consideration is being given to all issues raised by stakeholders involved in GYDPs as part of a wide-ranging consultation process, and I understand that arrangements are in train for an extensive series of meetings which will facilitate closer communication in relation to these matters. I can also assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to doing all it reasonably can to address the concerns of workers and GYDP service providers.

In line with the overall objective of providing GYDP services to all children and young persons who require them, I am advised that the Call for Proposals will require applicants to provide for continuity of GYDP services. It is of course a matter for organisations which apply to provide future GYDP services under the Call for Proposals to ensure that they comply with relevant legal responsibilities, including in relation to the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 131/2003).

In conclusion, I might add that while my Department does provide funding, through the Irish Youth Justice Service, for the operation of over 100 Garda Youth Diversion Projects, it is not the employer of the youth justice workers on these projects and has no human resources or industrial relations function in this regard.

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