Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
580. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline his plans to increase funding to the Garda youth diversion programme in the north inner city in view of the particular difficulties faced by the area with the recent spate of gang murders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8870/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Gardaí are providing a robust response to the threat of organised crime, particularly in Dublin’s North Inner-City. Operation Hybrid, which includes significant support from Armed Support Units, has been established to coordinate the response to violent crime in Dublin and address public safety concerns about community safety, particularly in the North Inner City area.
The statutory framework relating to young offenders and the Garda Diversion Programme is set out in the Children Act 2001. The operation of the Garda Diversion Programme is supported by the nationwide network of Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs). There are now 105 of these projects in place nationally.
GYDPs are funded by my Department and each project is managed locally by a Community Based Organisation (CBO). Funding is allocated under multi-annual funding agreements with the CBOs and, in 2018, approximately €14 million will be allocated for GYDPs. From 2015, GYDPs have been co-funded under the Programme for Employability Inclusion and Learning of the European Social Fund (ESF) 2014-2020.
The funding of individual GYDPs is kept under ongoing review, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, in the light inter alia of experience of caseload demands on the project. There are currently four GYDPs operating in the north inner city. Between 2016 and 2018 these projects were allocated an additional €82,236.00 in funding, which is an increase of 17% from 2016, bringing the total funding for the four projects to €566,236.00 in 2018.
In addition, 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 generally, 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. The call for proposals provides the opportunity to enhance the range of supports available for diversion work, including in Dublin, and will ensure availability throughout the State of GYDP services.
