Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
501. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda youth diversion projects in the Waterford Garda division in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33121/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Garda Diversion Programme. The intention of the programme is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system and towards more positive life choices. Children who commit criminal offences are considered for admission to the Garda Diversion Programme. Each case is assessed individually and the Director of the Garda Diversion Programme decides if the case is suitable for inclusion.
Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) are a fundamental support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme and provide a vital component to enhance community policing partnerships. There are currently 105 Projects nationwide. These projects are community based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which are funded directly by my Department. GYDPs seek to divert young people, who are either involved or are at risk of becoming involved in criminal behaviour, away from future involvement with the criminal justice system. They are primarily targeted at 12 to 17 year old young people in communities where a specific need for the service has been identified. On average, the Garda Youth Diversion Projects engage with between 3,500 and 4,000 young people across the state in any one year.
Details of the GYDPs in the Waterford Garda Division, for the years requested, are outlined in the table below.
|
Community Based Organisation |
GYDP |
Location |
|
Waterford & South Tipperary Community Youth Service (WSTCYS) |
BALL |
Lisduggan |
|
WSTCYS |
DAY |
Dungarvan |
|
WSTCYS |
PACT |
Ferrybank |
|
WSTCYS |
SWAY |
Waterford |
|
WSTCYS |
TYRE |
Tramore |
