Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2008
306 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a youth café or drop-in centre has been planned for Clonmel as part of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme in view of the fact that there are few facilities for young people in the area. [27882/08]
View answerThe Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme operates in accordance with Part 4 of the Children Act 2001, as amended, and under the general superintendence and control of the Garda Commissioner. The Programme has proven to be highly successful in diverting young persons away from crime by offering guidance and support to juveniles and their families. It also enables referral to the Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) which operate in parallel but separate to the Programme. GYDPs are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved, or further involved, in criminal or anti-social behaviour. There are currently 100 of these type of projects operating throughout the country.
The Garda Youth Diversion Project in Clonmel, which is called the CYD Project, received €98,328 in funding from my Department last year. It employs one full-time and one part-time worker. With regard to the linkage of a youth café to the CYD Project, I should point out that the issue of youth cafés in general is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The availability of youth cafés or drop-in centres is linked to the provision of general youth services throughout the country and is not solely concerned with young persons referred to Garda Projects. I am informed that the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is currently in the process of identifying the most appropriate mechanism for the development of youth cafés. This work will guide Government in ensuring that funding is targeted and coordinated most effectively on a model or models of youth cafés which meet the needs identified by young people themselves.
