Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
60. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the work programme and engagements of the Drogheda implementation board; the status of the recommendations contained in a report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35982/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the publication and implementation of the recommendations of the Drogheda scoping report are key actions in my Department's Justice Plan 2022. Last year my Department published a report I had commissioned from the former Director of the Probation Service, Mr. Vivian Geiran, who made over 70 recommendations on short and long-term responses to challenges the community faces in Drogheda. These include measures around crime prevention, youth services, drug addiction, education, infrastructure and community development. The recommendations highlight the need for improved interagency cooperation in the administration and delivery of State services in Drogheda, as well as the need to provide additional resources and services in certain areas. In July of last year, Minister Humphreys obtained Government approval for an Implementation Plan for the report. The Government also committed to a special focus on Drogheda, including Departments and State agencies prioritising necessary funding applications for projects related to the Drogheda Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan identifies the relevant stakeholders for each recommendation and outlines the next steps for engagement and delivery. The Plan is a living document and will be reviewed by my Department each quarter, with progress reports produced twice yearly. This approach will facilitate ongoing engagement and consultation and my Department has just completed the first quarterly review. The first progress report of the Drogheda Implementation Plan, combining updates from Q1 and Q2 of 2022, is currently under development and will be published in Quarter 3 of this year.
The most important aspect of the Plan is at local level where the Drogheda Implementation Board is the core driver and co-ordinator of the activities outlined in the plan and my Department leads national oversight to ensure strategic direction, action planning and the delivery of the Drogheda Implementation Plan.
The first meetings of the Drogheda Implementation Board took place on 13 October 2021 and a number of positive actions have arisen from the plan to date. For example:
- The Department of Education has provided additional supports to the three Northside schools identified in the report for a five year period.
- My own Department and the HSE have provided further funding to the Red Door Project to ensure the continued provision of their important services. In total across 2021 and 2022, this represents an investment of €230,000 in staffing resources to provide additional services in the Drogheda area.
- Funding was also provided to the Moneymore Consortium to support their planning work for the proposed development of a community hub facility and to the Moneymore Childcare Centre to ensure the continuation of the essential meal service they provide to children.
- My Department has also secured a further €250,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding for continued implementation of targeted crime prevention and harm-reduction measures in Drogheda in 2022.
- My Department also announced additional Youth Diversion Funding of almost €75,000 for early intervention and family supports to the Boyne Project.
Further details on the progress to date will be available in the upcoming progress report.
