Minister Fitzgerald announces extension of Garda Youth Diversion Projects to 10 new locations

·  New projects designed to prevent and tackle youth crime

·  16 additional workers to be appointed to expand existing projects

·  €2.8 million being allocated from Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme

Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Justice and Equality, today announced that €2.8 million is to be allocated from Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme to expand Garda Youth Diversion Services in communities across the Country. The first tranche of this funding, totalling

€1.37 million has now been allocated.

Minister Fitzgerald stated: “There has been significant progress made in tackling youth crime over the recent years. However it is important to acknowledge that additional crime prevention and crime reduction efforts such as the Garda Youth Diversion Projects are needed in areas with a high level of youth crime and in areas where an increase in the youth population raises the risks of increasing levels of youth crime.”

“The new funding I am announcing today will support An Garda Síochána in their proactive effort to work with young people to deter them from crime.”

“This Dormant Accounts funding will enhance the range of social inclusion measures available to support young people coming to the attention of An Garda Síochána, particularly in areas of economic and social disadvantage.”

“This investment in new and expanded projects right across the country demonstrates my commitment to working to prevent and reduce youth crime.”

The roll-out of these additional services will be managed by the Irish Youth Justice Service Community Programmes in partnership with the Garda Youth Diversion Office.

The Minister announced that 10 areas will receive new Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDP). This will bring to 110 the total number of GYDP’s in operation:

The 10 new locations are:

·  Athy, Co. Kildare

·  Balbriggan, Co. Dublin

·  Carrigaline, Co. Cork

·  Donnycarney/Fairview/Clontarf, Dublin City

·  Kilbarrack/Killester/Raheny, Dublin City

·  Kilmainham, Dublin City

·  Lucan, Co. Dublin

·  Naas, Co. Kildare

·  Nenagh, Co. Tipperary

·  Rathkeale, Co. Limerick

Operators have been selected for the first three of these new projects, which are being funded from first tranche of €1.37 million of the Dormant Accounts allocation. Work has commenced to identify services to run the remaining seven projects which will be funded from the balance of the €2.8 million allocations committed from the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme

In addition, Minister Fitzgerald today announced that funding has been allocated as part of the Dormant Accounts disbursement to support the recruitment of additional staff to 14 existing Garda Youth Diversion Projects, in order to respond to higher levels of youth crime or to expand the geographical remit of the project.

The 14 existing project which will receive additional staff include:

·  Ballymun, Dublin City (Crosscare)

·  Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin (Foróige)

·  Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin (Crosscare)

·  Celbridge, Co. Kildare (Kildare Youth Services)

·  Crumlin/Sundrive, Dublin City (BRU Youth Service)

·  Coolock, Dublin City (Kilmore West Youth Service)

·  Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin (Foróige)

·  Navan, Co. Meath (Foróige - two workers to be provided to expand coverage to the Laytown & Ashbourne areas)

·  Ennis, Co. Clare (Clare Youth Service)

·  Co. Donegal (Foróige - two workers to be provided to expand coverage countywide)

·  Mayfield and Bandon/Kinsale (Foróige)

·  Roxboro, Limerick City (Extern)

·  Henry Street, Limerick City (Limerick Youth Service).

Minister Fitzgerald also confirmed that Dormant Accounts funding will also be provided for the expansion of an initiative in the Mid West area run by Extern which engages “hard to reach” young people involved in criminal activity.