Vol. 543 No. 2
670 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the value of having cross-departmental local assessments initiated in each Garda district; and if he will make a statement on whether he will consider piloting such a study in County Donegal. [26179/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a pilot version of the arrangement suggested by Deputy Keaveney was established in June 2001 in west Cork, incorporating four Garda districts that include the towns and hinterland of Kinsale, Bandon, Clonakilty, Dunmanway, Bantry, Castletownbere and Macroom. The west Cork youth council was initiated by local Garda juvenile liaison officers under the direction of the chief superintendent for the area in order to develop a co-ordinated response to youth crime in this mainly rural area. The council is a cross-agency initiative aimed at providing support and services for young people at risk in the 12 to 21 age group. The council is currently carrying out a needs assessment of young people in its area of responsibility. I understand the pilot scheme is still in its early stages and has yet to be evaluated, the outcome of which will inform a decision on its wider applicability.
With specific regard to the Garda division of Donegal, I am also informed that a number of cross-departmental youth-focused initiatives are already in place, including an inter-agency approach to tackling drugs and alcohol problems and a new initiative to reduce the number of early school leavers. Moreover, under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, my Department funds a multi-agency supported Garda youth diversion project in Raphoe, County Donegal.
