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
|