As the Deputy will be aware, I announced the establishment of a Garda youth diversion project in Bawnogue, Clondalkin on 2 May 2000. This project is one of ten to be set up in both rural and urban areas in the first phase of the expansion of Garda youth diversion programme funded under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.
Full year funding of up to £60,000 will be provided for the Bawnogue, Clondalkin project. It will employ one full-time co-ordinator, whose initial task will be to research the services currently provided for young people in the area with a view to ascertaining the appropriate numbers of young people who might benefit from involvement in such a project. Approximately 20 young people will be engaged in the core project programmes at any given time.
The project will be overseen by a management advisory committee comprising of garda, the probation and welfare service, the Catholic Youth Council, local residents, teen counselling, home-school liaison teacher and Obair, the local employment training group.
The project will be based at the Bawnogue community centre, and it's catchment area will be Bawnogue, Deansrath and Dunawley in south-west Clondalkin.
In common with other projects, it will be required to prepare an annual report of activities/programmes, as well as audited accounts for each year. The operation of all projects will be reviewed from time to time.
