Vol. 561 No. 1
456 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to fund further initiatives to allow the Garda Síochána work with disadvantaged and at risk young people in Dublin south west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3179/03]
As the Deputy may be aware, recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of Garda youth diversion projects, from 12 in 1997 to 64 at present, a process made possible, in part, by funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The locations of the new projects were decided upon according to local needs, prioritised by the Garda authorities, in conjunction with my Department. Funding of €5.577 million has been allocated to these and related projects in the current year.
At present three of these projects are operating in Dublin south west. They are as follows: GRAFT project, Giving Ronanstown A Future Today; KEY project, Killinarden Enhancing Youth; and the JAY project, Jobstown Action for Youth.
While the matter will be kept under review, I am not in a position to authorise further youth diversion projects at this time.
