Charlie O'Connor
Question:428 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to fund further Garda diversion projects in Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27148/04]
View answerTuesday, 2 November 2004
Questions (355, 356)
Written answers
Garda youth diversion projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved or further involved in anti-social and — or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects also contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda-community relations. I am strongly committed to their continuing development and, as resources permit, their expansion.
There are currently three Garda youth diversion projects in the Tallaght Garda district, KEY in Killinarden, JAY in Jobstown and YEW in Whitechurch. These projects received total funding of €296,420 in 2003. Proposals made by the Garda Síochána to my Department on establishing further projects are examined within the context of available resources. While I cannot give any commitment as to future funding, in the course of the Estimate negotiations now under way I am committed to maintaining and, if at all possible, increasing the resources available to the projects.
Charlie O'Connor
Question:429 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the policing needs of Brittas, County Dublin are receiving special attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27149/04]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Brittas area forms part of the Tallaght sub-district.
Uniformed gardaí from Tallaght together with the local traffic unit and district detective unit also patrol the area. These are augmented by patrols from the divisional crime task force and the divisional traffic unit.
In addition to Tallaght gardaí patrolling the area, Rathcoole and Blessington gardaí regularly patrol the area as their districts border Brittas. I am further informed that a garda has been allocated as the community rural policing officer for the Brittas area. This ensures that local concerns are brought to the notice of the superintendent for Tallaght. Coverage by mobile patrol and other policing services are effectively provided by gardaí based at Tallaght. In addition, there are one sergeant and four Garda juvenile liaison officers operating from Tallaght Garda station.
Juvenile liaison officers operate in accordance with the Children Act 2001, which came into law in May 2002, and it was at this point that the Garda diversion programme began operating on a statutory basis. One of these officers has been allocated the area of Brittas as part of his or her brief.