Written Answers. - Youth Services.
Seán Haughey
Question:
357
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
if his Department provides funding for youth workers; if an application has been received for a youth worker from a youth project (details supplied) in Dublin 5; if so, the decision in this case; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8951/00]
Richard Bruton
Question:
362
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the criteria used in the selection of projects for the allocation of a youth worker; the locations where youth workers were deployed by his Department; and the reason an area (details supplied) in Dublin 5 did not receive priority for the recent allocation.
[9106/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 362 together.
As I have previously informed the House, the Garda youth diversion projects are a partnership approach between the Garda, youth services, the Probation and Welfare Service, schools and local communities to addressing the problems of juvenile criminality. Identification of the need to establish such projects in particular areas rests primarily with the local Garda management. The main criteria used are as follows: the existence of a sufficiently large group of "at risk" young people in a particular area; that sufficient Garda manpower and resources are available to operate the project successfully; that a commitment is forthcoming from the other agencies and community representatives in the area to involve themselves in the management and running of the project; that local Garda management have identified the need for such project; that there is a fair geographical spread of locations throughout the country; that there is consideration given to the range of complementary services present.
In addition to the criteria set out above, any decision regarding the establishment of new projects will take account of such factors as the level of socio-economic deprivation and indicators of juveniles "at risk" such as the levels of early school leaving, juvenile crime and drug use.
To date, 29 Garda youth diversion projects have been established. These are listed on the attached table.
Each of these projects has a full time project co-ordinator. Each project co-ordinator is employed by either the project management committee, or a youth organisation. The criteria for selection of a project co-ordinator is a matter for the management-advisory committee of the project in question. All appointments are made following advertisement of the positions in the national print media, and competitive interview. While no specific educational or professional qualifications are laid down, practical experience in youth work is a prerequisite.
As the House will be aware, £16 million is being made available in the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for the significant expansion of the Garda youth diversion programme. It is proposed to implement the proposal on a phased basis over the life of the plan. An application to establish a project in the area referred to by Deputies Haughey and Bruton is being considered in this context. I expect to be in a position to finalise details shortly in relation to the first phase of this programme.
List of Garda Youth Diversion Projects: the Wood-dale Project, Darndale, Dublin; the B.A.Y. Project; Ballymun, Dublin; the M.O.S.T. Project, O'Devaney Gardens, Dublin; the K.E.Y. Project, Killinarden, Dublin; the F.A.N. Project, Finglas, Dublin; the W.E.B. Project, Blanchardstown, Dublin; the D.A.N. Project, Donore Avenue, Dublin; the N.I.C.K.O.L. Project, Buckingham Street, Dublin; the A.B.L.E. Project, Ballyfermot, Dublin; the G.R.A.F.T. Project, Ronanstown, Dublin; the Jobstown Project, Tallaght, County Dublin; the L.A.B. Project, Loughlinstown, Dublin; the C.O.D.Y. Project, Cherry Orchard, Dublin; the M.A.T.E.S. Project, Hardwicke Street, Dublin; the Bray New Direction Project, Bray, County Wicklow; the Mahon Action Project, Cork City; the Knocknaheeny/Holyhill Project, Cork City; the Glen Action Project, Cork City; the Southill Project, Limerick; the Corpus Christi Project, Limerick; the S.W.A.Y. Project, Waterford; the B.A.L.L. Project, Waterford; the T.E.A.M. Project, Dundalk; the N.Y.P.D. Project, Navan. The Slí Eile Project, Tullamore; the Connect 7 Project, Tralee; the B.A.N. Project, Gal way City; the Junction Project, Ballinasloe; the Y.A.P.S. Project, Sligo.
