Vol. 555 No. 5
345 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which the ?8 million for Garda special projects will be allocated; if probation and welfare projects such as Bond in Blanchardstown, the Tower in Tallaght and the Tivoli in Dún Laoghaire will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18914/02]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the approximately €6 million provided in 2002 to fund the existing network of 64 Garda youth diversion projects throughout the country. The precise financial allocation to individual projects is decided by my Department, following consultation with the Garda authorities. This decision takes into account, among other matters, performance during the previous year and expressed need within the context of maintaining sound overall budgetary discipline. The probation and welfare service of my Department has been allocated separate funding to financially support a large number of other community based projects, including those mentioned by the Deputy. It is not proposed to provide further funding for these projects from the allocation set aside for the Garda youth diversion projects.
