Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has published the first progress report on the Government’s plan to improve community wellbeing in Drogheda. It outlines considerable progress in addressing issues such as crime, drug use, youth and community development and educational supports in the area
Several recommendations outlined in the Drogheda Scoping Report carried out by the former head of the Probation Service, Vivian Guerin on gang violence and the widespread drug problems in Drogheda have been progressed, including:
- The provision of €230,000 across 2021 and 2022 to the community-based Red Door Project for addiction services
- The allocation of additional teachers to three primary schools in Drogheda by the Department of Education
- Additional funding across 2021 and 2022 to the CABLE and Boyne Garda Youth Diversion Projects for delivery of vital services to young people at risk of offending. In 2021, the Department of Justice provided €530,000 in funding to the two projects including additional funding of €25,000 for Boyne and €66,000 for CABLE for the purchase of mini-buses. In June 2022, Boyne Youth Diversion Project was also allocated almost €75,000 under the Youth Justice Strategy, following CABLE receiving funding in a previous round.
- €15,000 Support for a preliminary site plan for the Moneymore Community Hub facility through the Dormant Accounts Fund and;
- €48,000 in funding from the Department of Justice towards the extension of kitchen and dining facilities for the Moneymore Childcare Centre, in order to continue providing meals to the 68 children from the local area who avail of their service.
“Improving community safety is not just a matter of policing crime” Minister McEntee said. “It is about ensuring that the range of State and community services that contribute to people’s wellbeing are working together in a coherent manner.
“The cross-Government responsibility to deliver on the actions contained in the Drogheda report are clear – and I am greatly encouraged by the progress we have made so far.”
Another part of the Implementation Plan was to explore ways of re-investing the proceeds of crime into community resources, which has resulted in the Community Safety Innovation Fund which was established in April 2021 to reinvest proceeds of crime back into communities.
€2 million was allocated to it under Budget 2022, with 22 community projects to receive grants between €5,000 – €150,000 under this allocation. This will increase to €3 million next year under Budget 2023.
Allocations to Drogheda-based projects through the new fund include a further €98,000 to The Red Door Project to fund employment of a Prison Links Worker and €150,000 to Foróige for their New Choices Project, which will provide practical life-skills to early school leavers.
Implementation of the plan is continuing and recent announcements include:
- A new craft skills training hub will open early next year in Drogheda. As announced by Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris, it will provide training to approximately 336 apprentices each year and will also deliver 20 permanent jobs.
- Extended capacity at Drogheda Institute of Further Education through the development of a new flexible multi-purpose built tertiary education facility.
- Serving the Navan areas and beyond by investing in Louth Meath ETB’s offices and site at Abbey Road in Navan – consolidating facilities and giving Youthreach a permanent, fit for purpose centre
Michael Keogh, Independent Chair of the Drogheda Implementation Board which is the core driver and co-ordinator of the activities outlined in the Plan, said:
“This Progress Report is an opportunity for the people of Drogheda to see the work that has been undertaken since the publication of Vivian Geiran’s Scoping Report last year. Not only does it outline what has been done, it gives next steps and timelines so that people can also see what will be done.
“Government departments alongside local statutory and community agencies are continuing to work collaboratively on issues raised in the Scoping Report, and progress continues to be made on the delivery of actions since June 2022”
“I believe that the supports provided across areas such as youth services, health, further education and community development will have a meaningful impact on the quality of life for people in the town.
“We must continue that momentum as we focus on the road ahead and our goal of building a better future for all in Drogheda.”
Drogheda Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd warmly welcomed the publication of the first progress report saying that he will continue to ensure that Drogheda remains firmly on the top priority list of Government in dealing with the effects of crime and drug abuse in our community and at the same time significantly improving choice and opportunities for employment and career development along with improved amenities for our young people said O’Dowd .
“Minister Helen McEntee has been very active and focused on implementing the Guerin Report and I will continue to work closely with her and her Department” he said.
To find out more about the Drogheda Implementation Board see www.droghedaimplementationboard.ie or email implementationboard@lmetb.ie.
