51. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on progress to date on implementing the Gerian Report by the Drogheda Implementation Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60454/22] 

Heather Humphreys, Minister for Justice: As the Deputy may be aware, Minister McEntee published the Drogheda Implementation Plan Progress Report last month. This is the first of a twice yearly progress report on the Government’s plan to improve community wellbeing in Drogheda. 

The update highlights the progress made on actions within the Drogheda Report Implementation Plan up to the end of June 2022, showing positive progress made against actions addressing crime, drug use, youth and community development and educational supports. 

Several recommendations outlined in the Geiran Report have been progressed, including the provision of €230,000 across 2021 and 2022 to the community-based Red Door Project for addiction services. A further €98,000 was recently allocated to The Red Door Project under my Department’s Community Safety Innovation Fund to facilitate employment of a Prison Links Worker. 

The Department of Education have allocated additional teachers to three primary schools in Drogheda. 

Funding has also been provided to the CABLE and Boyne Garda Youth Diversion Projects across 2021 and 2022 for delivery of vital services to young people at risk of offending. 

Through the Dormant Accounts Fund, €15,000 was provided towards a preliminary site plan for the Moneymore Community Hub facility and €48,000 in funding from my Department towards the extension of kitchen and dining facilities for the Moneymore Childcare Centre. 

Implementation of the plan is continuing and recent announcements, which fall outside the end of June 2022 timeline for the progress report, include a new craft skills training hub which will open early next year in Drogheda. As announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, it will provide training to approximately 336 apprentices each year and will also deliver 20 permanent jobs. 

The collective, multi-agency approach to community safety adopted in Drogheda is at the heart of the great work that is happening there. We must continue that momentum as we focus on the road ahead and our goal of building a better future for all in Drogheda. It is intended to publish the next progress report in Q1 of 2023.