Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
290. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consultation with young persons has taken place in regard to the proposed changes to the provision of youth diversion services to ensure the voice of the child principle has been adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12221/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra292. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the implications of the review of Garda youth diversion projects which are recommending a new model which will result in the closure of smaller independent youth organisations and the loss of jobs and important services. [12724/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has examined the impact of proposed reform to GYDP on the number of secondary referrals that can be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12222/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra325. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to request proposals in relation to the provision of GYDP services along sub-divisional levels in denser urban areas rather than the larger divisional levels as is being proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12223/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra326. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the independent evaluation report on the pilot GYDP service delivery model that was introduced in County Kerry in 2015 will be completed; if it will be made public; his views on whether it is appropriate for the Irish Youth Justice Service to publish the new call for the proposals process for the provision of GYDP services throughout the country without the independent evaluation report having been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12224/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra356. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the review of the Garda youth diversion projects which proposes a new model which will result in the closure of numerous projects and the cessation of the present system of secondary referrals which is an early intervention with young persons at risk. [12723/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the proposed new model for the Garda youth diversion projects; if services will be reduced in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12874/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra370. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if young persons that are secondary referred (details supplied) to the Garda youth diversion projects will continue to be provided for in the new model for the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12875/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra373. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the proposed changes in funding structure of the Garda youth diversion projects network by the Irish Youth Justice Service; the way in which smaller communities and projects will be protected and maintained in the changed structure; the rationale behind the proposed restructuring; the consultation that is taking place with service providers and service users on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12903/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 290, 292, 324 to 326, inclusive, 356, 369, 370 and 373 together.
As Deputies may be aware, my Department is obliged to carry out a Call for proposals process during 2018 in relation to the provision of Garda Youth Diversion Project (GYDP) services, to fully comply with requirements related to the co-funding of projects by the European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
I can assure Deputies that the new approach to GYDP provision which is being developed in preparation for the Call for Proposals will not reduce the level of service that already exists, or the importance of community involvement in its delivery. On the contrary, the intention is to build on, update and improve a very valuable service, so that it is available to every child or young person in the country who requires it. While certain aspects of the new service model have been determined, work is ongoing to complete the full details to be included in the Call for Proposals, which is expected to issue during the second quarter of this year.
To ensure State-wide coverage of GYDP services for young people, (which does not exist at present), the intention is that, in general, service provision will be aligned with Garda Divisions or other appropriate local areas with a distinct community identity as may be agreed during the consultation process. The consideration of such local arrangements may apply particularly in relation to areas with a large number of potential participants on GYDPs.
However, the provision of GYDP services in all parts of the State has obvious advantages, particularly in terms of providing services for significant numbers of young people who cannot currently access them. I might add that an independent evaluation report of the operation of an integrated approach to delivery of GYDP services within County Kerry, commissioned by the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) is expected shortly. This report will help with the further development of the full service delivery model, which, as I already mentioned, is still being considered in preparation for the Call for Proposals.
GYDPs provide an effective and essential support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme by An Garda Síochána. The principal focus of GYDPs is on young people who receive a Garda caution under the Diversion Programme for involvement in criminal or anti-social behaviour and are referred to a local GYDP (primary referrals). GYDPs also accommodate a certain proportion of young people who are considered to be at risk of involvement in offending or anti-social behaviour (secondary referrals).
In relation to secondary referrals, it has to be considered if, in principle, it is appropriate to refer a child to a Garda project where no criminal act has been identified. For some, a better option might be referral to available mainstream youth services that could appropriately support them. That being said, it is accepted that referrals to GYDPs must take account of local needs and issues in relation to access and availability of mainstream youth services. Following the Call for Proposals process, GYDP services will still accommodate a certain proportion of secondary referrals and the proportion of these may vary from area to area depending on identified local needs.
Careful consideration is being given to all issues raised by stakeholders involved in GYDPs as part of a wide-ranging consultation process, which is currently ongoing. This process includes arrangements for an extensive series of meetings with community based organisations and project workers which will facilitate closer communication and exchange of information in relation to these matters. The consultation process will help to inform further development of the service delivery model in advance of the Call for Proposals being issued, including in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputies.
In addition, the consultations will include arrangements to hear the views of young people, including participants or former participants on GYDPs.
GYDPs deliver valuable services for young people who have committed a crime or may be at risk of offending as well as providing important support for An Garda Síochána at local level. I can assure Deputies that in the context of the Call for Proposals my Department is committed to doing everything feasible to ensure continuity of service for participants on GYDPs and maintain a community driven approach to their operation, as well as minimising any disruption for workers and service providers.
