Mr. Shane McCarthy:

An evaluation was carried out on the scheme in Nenagh where the throughput numbers in the scheme increased from approximately 20 a year up to in excess of 100 a year. It expanded geographically to include parts of County Offaly and other adjacent counties. The only way that this expansion was acceptable was by creating awareness of the benefits of the scheme and how it operated. That was done through the probation service meeting with gardaí, public representatives, members of the community and setting up local panels of people who were trained in the appropriate principles.