Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy raises an important point. That issue does not come under this particular Vote. It would come under the Probation Service subhead in Vote 24 - Justice and Equality. Again, I acknowledge the work of the Probation Service as a leader in the community service project. Once again the Probation Service received sanction to recruit new supervisors in recent times. I am anxious to ensure that we continue to have sufficient community service supervisors, having regard to the growth of these schemes and the frequency with which the courts would look to the provision of a community service order as being an appropriate court order in the circumstances. The moneys continue to be put to very good use in that regard.

I point to the decrease in the committal of people to prison for non-payment of fines. Provisional figures for last year show a decrease in excess of 70%, which would be due to the fines legislation.