Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Drug Problem.

John Ellis

Question:

493 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason, in a recent progress report on the BMW regional operational programme, the comment was made that there are no problems regarding drugs in the Border region, particularly in view of the recent developments in the area; and if sanction will now be given to the Garda youth division for some measure to give assistance towards combating the drug problems that exist in the BMW region, particularly in Border counties. [12219/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The Government has allocated approximately £6 million for the BMW region under the National Development Plan 2000 – 2006, to finance an increase in the number of Garda youth diversion projects, which are overseen by my Department in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. The projects are a crime prevention measure which aim, through both intervention and prevention, to divert young people from becoming involved in criminal activity, vandalism, substance misuse and other anti-social activities.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a total of 14 Garda youth diversion projects are currently in operation within the BMW region. Nine such projects have been established under the terms of the national development plan to date and there are a number of proposals before my Department at present for the establishment of further projects in the region.