Vol. 560 No. 1
835 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give assurances that the Garda Síochána will continue to work with the youth of Dublin south west in Firhouse, Greenhills, Tallaght and Templeogue; the special programmes being funded in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1542/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have invested considerable resources, both in terms of manpower and money, in working with at risk young people throughout the M district, which covers the areas mentioned in the Deputy's question. The investment has manifested itself through the provision of local juvenile liaison officers and in providing several Garda youth diversion projects within the M district. These projects are crime prevention initiatives and are targeted at "at risk" juveniles in the ten-18 years age bracket. While the projects themselves have a broad range of objectives, the essential aim is to divert young people from becoming involved in criminal/anti-social activity through the provision of suitable activities to facilitate personal development and encourage civic responsibility.
As the Deputy may be aware, there are three Garda youth diversion projects operating in Dublin south-west at present, namely, the GRAFT project (Giving Ronanstown A Future Today), the KEY project (Killinarden Enhancing Youth) and the JAY project (Jobstown Action for Youth). My Department and the Garda Síochána are committed to continuing these initiatives.
