Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

732. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the funding provided under the Garda youth diversion scheme in each the years 2018 to 2020. inclusive, for organisations in County Louth and east County Meath; if there are plans within her Department to expand the scheme in the area in view of the significant criminality that has occurred in Drogheda and its hinterlands over the past 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1752/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can inform the Deputy that I am very conscious of how the impact of crime affects the quality of life for local communities. Preventing children getting involved in criminality and diverting children away from it when they have already become involved is a key priority for me as Minister for Justice and the new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, contains a number of commitments with regard to tackling crime.

Details of the funding allocations sought for the Garda Youth Diversion Projects in Co. Louth and East Meath over the last 24 months are set out in the table below.

[]

Proposals to strengthen the work of Garda Youth Diversion Projects in the area are being examined at present and it is anticipated that decisions will be made shortly in the context of the overall funding available for 2021.

I am further informed that currently there are 105 Garda Youth Diversion Projects nationwide. The intention is to further develop this service so that it is available to every child in the State who could benefit from it, through an ongoing expansion of existing services and the foundation of new projects where necessary.

The projects are being developed to provide family support to the parents of young people participating in the projects, and are undertaking early intervention and preventative work. The role of the projects in relation to harder-to-engage young people is being enhanced and extended as part of the evolving Youth Justice system.

The Department is supporting the ongoing development of practice in Garda Youth Diversion Projects through the Action Research Project led by the University of Limerick. The Action Research Project works directly with front-line Youth Justice Workers from local projects to develop interventions and best practice. Based on initial outcomes from the Action Research Project, and evaluations of a number of pilot projects, it is intended to develop proposals to expand the existing services. This would ensure national coverage and a stronger focus on difficult issues such as the hard-to-reach cohort.

These issues are addressed in the draft Youth Justice Strategy 2020-2026, which I intend to finalise and bring to Government shortly.