Vol. 575 No. 5
161 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 420 of 18 November 2003, the timeframe that will apply for funding for further youth diversion projects to become available. [28700/03]
As the Deputy may be aware, funding of €5.577 million has been allocated to Garda youth diversion projects in the current year.
While I have secured an overall increase of 9.5% in the Estimates for the Vote for the Garda Síochána in 2004, the continuing need to maintain discipline in the public finances means that I must prioritise expenditure and so cannot increase the funding for all items of expenditure in the Vote. As a result, the Abridged Estimates Volume for 2004 provides for funding of €5.318 million for the youth diversion projects. However, in view of the fact that most of the more recently established projects incurred start up expenses in the last two years which are not expected to be a feature in the coming years, I am confident that all of the projects can be maintained on the proposed funding allocation.
It is not envisaged that additional Garda youth diversion projects will be established in the short-term. However, the possibility of funding of further projects, in the future in the light of prevailing budgetary conditions will remain under review.
