Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Mar 2000

Vol. 162 No. 19

Adjournment Matters. - Youth Project.

Mr. Costello

This matter refers to the need for the Minister for Defence to provide accommodation for the Phoenix youth project in St. Bricin's Hospital accessing directly from O'Devaney Gardens. Discussions on this matter have been ongoing for a extended period and I am anxious to discover the current position. How is it proposed to deal with the re-location of the youth project?

The Phoenix Project enjoys the support and sponsorship of a large number of organisations including the City of Dublin VEC, the Eastern Health Board, the Department of Education and Science, the Garda Síochána and the community in general. The young people involved in it are regarded as being at high risk. These individuals have either dropped out of school or been expelled and are at risk of getting into trouble. The intention behind the project is that they should be provided with a range of services, training and education, and that these services should be provided within their area.

The facilities being provided at present are situated in O'Devaney Gardens and they are completely inadequate due to the confined space available. It is imperative that an alternative location should be provided. I understand the Department has been considering the provision of such a location. The original proposal to locate the project in the environs of St. Bricin's met with opposition from local residents in the Arbour Hill area on the basis that those involved in the project would have to travel through Oxmantown Road, Stoneybatter, Arbour Hill, Cavalry Row and past the old folks' home in St. Bricin's Park to gain access to it. In view of people's concerns about the proposed access point and the fact that St. Bricin's Hospital is accessible from the rear from O'Devaney Gardens, that would seem a more suitable point of entry.

What is the state of play? I would like to see the youth project getting better accommodation in the St. Bricin's area. I would also like to know where it will be located, how that location is to be accessed and to have the matter resolved as soon as possible.

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Is cúis mór áthais dom dul os comhair an Tí álainn seo, Seanad Éireann. I like coming back to this more luxurious and beautifully designed House, even though public representatives fight hard to go to the other House. I welcome this opportunity to outline the position with regard to the provision of the site for the Phoenix Project. The project is currently based at a premises at the rear of the North Circular Road.

It is part of the Line Project which comprises 30 independent community based and community managed projects covering all areas of disadvantage in Dublin, including the north inner city area. It aims to bring together the community, parents, State agencies, schools, health boards, FÁS and the relevant Departments to provide a meaningful service to young people jointly and in partnership. The project deals mainly with the target group between 12 and 18 years of age who may have varied education or training qualifications, limited access to employment and may be experiencing social related problems. The goal of the programme is, therefore, prevention by providing young people and their families with the necessary support so that young people at risk can remain in mainstream education.

In January 1999, I received an application for a site from the Phoenix Project board of management. In consideration of the need for a premises for such a worthy cause, I inspected the Department's properties in the Arbour Hill area and identified an area as having potential for use by the project. This area was offered to the project in May 1999 and was considered by the board in the following months with regard to its suitability for its purposes.

On 8 February 2000, at a meeting with members of the Phoenix Project, I was informed that following careful consideration of the site offered and having regard to local considerations, they inquired as to the possibility of an alternative site being provided closer to O'Devaney Gardens which might be suitable. They indicated a preference for a site within St. Bricin's Hospital complex. My officials have inspected all premises in the St. Bricin's Hospital area with a view to identifying a building which might be regarded as suitable for use by the Phoenix Project.

The recommendations are just to hand and I intend to consider them immediately. I propose to visit the sites in question and revert to the Phoenix Project with my decision in the near future. The project has been kept fully informed of developments since our last meeting and I look forward to meeting its representatives again shortly.