Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2019
308. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of establishing ten new Garda youth diversion projects; and the estimated full-year cost of running these projects. [23260/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, my Department provided €13,752,726 in grant funding which covered the full year costs of 105 Garda Youth Diversion Projects operating nationwide. A further €2,829,882 in grant funding was provided to support a range of other activities, including project work relating to Local Drugs Task Forces, pilot mentoring initiatives and measures to support training and best practices.
The full year running costs of a Garda Youth Diversion Project will vary between projects and is dependent on several factors including location, catchment area and the number of participants. I am informed that the most recently established GYDPs, in locations where a project had not existed before, were set up in 2015. These projects were allocated a maximum annual budget of €125,000 each. This included any costs associated with the establishment of the project, but not any costs for additional work in the areas of mentoring, family support, preventative work, etc.
The cost for setting up 10 new projects, with the standard staffing level of two youth Justice Workers, would be approximately €1,250,000, and any additional running costs for these would vary depending on size and location and on the agreed workplan for the project. The approximate average cost of running a project, in 2019, is estimated as €137,505.
