Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of the areas that has been greatly enhanced is inter-agency work between the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service, and I pay tribute to both services on that. This is a key initiative. I have had a number of meetings with the Probation Service and attended a number of its conferences, and I have been struck by the new initiatives taken. One excellent initiative is focusing on repeat offenders and is working through both services to ensure effective identification of these offenders. The initiative is looking at the various problems involved, such as drug abuse or alcoholism, and ensuring people are getting the services they need in order to interrupt the reoffending.

In regard to women offenders, a new service, Tús Nua, is being developed. I thought it was in Finglas, but it is on the North Circular Road. It is managed by Depaul Ireland and funded by the Probation Service. This service, in co-operation with the community and voluntary sector, seeks to address the accommodation needs of women offenders. There is also another centre based in Finglas which was developed because demand for the service is so high.