Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - Youth Diversion Projects. – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Thursday, 1 Jun 2000

Mr. O'Donoghue

At the beginning of the year, 29 Garda youth diversion projects were in existence. Last month, I announced the establishment of ten additional projects as the first phase of an expansion of the programme as part of the national development plan, bringing the current total to 39.

Given the number of projects involved, I think it is more appropriate to list the location of each in a tabular statement which will be circulated with the reply, than to recite them here. In summary, however, the projects are located as follows: 15 in Dublin city, four in Cork city, two each in Waterford and Limerick cities, and one each in Tralee, Dundalk, Sligo, Bray, Ballinasloe, Navan, Tullamore, Athlone, Ballina, Drogheda, Ennis, Kilkenny, Killarney, Monaghan Town, Galway and Wexford. I expect to be in a position to announce the further expansion of the programme in two further phases later this year.

In general, the amount of funding allocated for a full year to each of the projects is between £50,000 and £60,000. To date, only four projects are being allocated in excess of £60,000 – Tallaght, Knocknaheeny, Moyross and Ballybane. The final allocations for individual projects may be reviewed in light of development proposals and available funding. Five projects launched last year were allocated 75% part-funding under the European Social Fund, with the balance payable by my Department. As the funding from my Department is intended to cover the running costs of each project, the level of funding will vary somewhat from year to year and from project to project.

My Department has commissioned a report carried out by the Children's Research Centre, Trinity College, on The Impact and Effectiveness of the Garda Special Projects. This study consisted of an in-depth evaluation of the 14 longest established projects. The report of this evaluation project, which was received in the past two weeks, is currently being studied by my officials. In general, however, the study found that the projects appear to be having an impact on offending and anti-social behaviour. The young people involved reported positively on their experiences and a majority reported a variety of positive learning outcomes.

Projects supported by the European Social Fund are evaluated in accordance with ESF requirements. I also intend to institute follow-up studies on the effectiveness of the schemes established under the national development plan when they have been fully operational for a reasonable period of time.

List of Garda Youth Diversion Projects

By Location

County	Area
Cork	Knocknaheeney
Cork	Mahon
Cork	The Glen
Dublin	Ballyfermot (Lower)
Dublin	Ballymun
Dublin	Blanchardstown
Dublin	Cherry Orchard
Dublin	Darndale and Priorswood
Dublin	Donore Avenue
Dublin	Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
Dublin	Finglas South
Dublin	Hardwicke Street
Dublin	North Inner City
Dublin	Phoenix Park Area
Dublin	Ronanstown
Dublin	Jobstown
Dublin	Tallaght
Galway	Ballinasloe
Galway	Ballybane–Ballinfoyle-Castlepark-Westside
Kerry	Tralee
Limerick	Moyross
Limerick	Southill
Louth	Dundalk
Meath	Navan
Offaly	Tullamore-Clara
Sligo	Sligo
Waterford	Ballybeg 1
Waterford	Waterford 2
Wicklow	Bray

National Development Plan – Phase 1

County	Area
Clare	Cloughleigh
Cork	Togher
Dublin	South West Clondalkin
Kerry	Southside of Killarney
Kilkenny	Kilkenny City
Louth	Southside of Drogheda
Mayo	Ballina
Monaghan	Monaghan Town
Westmeath	Athlone
Wexford	Clonard and Coolcotts

Mr. Howlin

Will the Minister accept that there is a strong view that these projects are of immense benefit in the communities in which they operate? Will he publish the evaluation report on this matter that has been received recently in his Department? If, as I suspect, the evaluation report accepts the value of these projects, will he ensure they are available in every community throughout the country? When will the specific resources required to achieve that objective be made available?

Mr. O'Donoghue

I agree with Deputy Howlin that these projects are extremely beneficial. That is why we, in the Department, have tried to ensure we get as much funding as possible under the national development plan to tackle areas of disadvantage and assist people who, through no fault of their own, are disadvantaged. In this context, it is the intention to establish the optimum number of projects within the financial resources available to us. An amount of £16 million will be made available over the life of the plan.

Mr. Howlin

An amount of £16 million?

Mr. O'Donoghue

Yes. We will take into account the priority areas agreed by our Department with the Garda community. Ten projects have been announced and further phases will follow. The total number of projects that will be established will be in the region of 30. As to the location of those projects, account will have to be taken of the requirements of the national development plan to ensure there is a regional balance, but there is scope for revising the total number in light of future demands. As the Deputy said, it is important there would be an evaluation of the projects from time to time and that such evaluation would take account of the specific needs of the participants. The need for intensive programmes and resource implications will be examined in that context.

Mr. Howlin

Will the current evaluation be published or at least referred to the Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights and Defence? If additional resources over and above the £16 million are required and there is sufficient demand for them, will the Minister accept the provision of such projects will have a much greater impact than spending money on building prisons or in other areas?

Mr. O'Donoghue

I will be happy to make the evaluation report available to the Committee on Justice, Equality, Women's Rights and Defence. It is a case of horses for courses. These courses are extremely beneficial and can be extremely helpful in ensuring young people are diverted away from crime. Unfortunately, it is also true that there are people who have to incarcerated.

With regard to the current building programme, I outlined on a number of occasions there are a number of reasons it has been embarked upon, not least the current chronic overcrowding in our prisons. I would be the first to admit it is causing great difficulty. The revolving door system that has operated in our prisons for a considerable number of years must be terminated. The number of sexual offenders has increased. There is the question of the implementation of the bail referendum as passed by the Irish people which will result in an increase in the number of people who will be remanded in custody. It is necessary to ensure that children are given adequate accommodation in so far as they come within the remit of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. There has also been an increase in the number of female offenders, which has resulted in an increased demand for more female prison places.

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jun 2000