Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Terry for the opportunity to respond on this issue and I welcome her supportive comments regarding the localisation of the offices of the probation and welfare service, which is a nationwide move by the Department.

The mission statement of the probation and welfare service is to foster public safety and promote the common good by reducing the level of re-offending. This is achieved through the management of offenders on supervision orders from the courts in their local and/or immediate surrounding areas. The service aims to reduce victimisation of members of local communities by developing positive relationships with offenders in order to reduce and/or eliminate offending. Local service delivery enhances the chances of co-operation from offenders and facilitates contact between service staff, the families of the offenders and the staff of health boards and other agencies which are locally based.

Currently, the only District Court team working from the probation and welfare service headquarters in Smithfield is the team that covers Dublin 7 and Dublin 15. The location of the team in Smithfield can place considerable financial expense and travel time on both the client and service staff in keeping appointments. All other Dublin District Court teams have been localised. I am pleased they have been successful in localising the offices in Dún Laoghaire, Ballyfermot, Tallaght, Finglas, Crumlin and Clondalkin. No complaint has been received to date from any member of the public, nor has any complaint been brought to the attention of any officer of the service by gardaí about the behaviour of those attending a local office.

Premises at Main Street, Blanchardstown, were acquired by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the probation and welfare service on 15 April 2002. The total purchase cost was €1.5 million. Provision of a probation centre fulfils one of the commitments agreed under the national development plan. Contrary to what Senator Terry said, the development is taking place after much discussion with groups in the local community. Officers of the service have met with the local authority, the local chamber of commerce and residents to share with them the proposed plans. The Office of Public Works has met with local neighbours and has taken on board their views in regard to the development. The architect has also taken considerable time to provide a building that is in harmony with the surroundings and that brings minimum change to the street vista. The fit-out will be to the highest standards.

Before proceeding with the refurbishment project in Main Street, Blanchardstown, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has requested the Office of Public Works to identify, if possible, a more suitable alternative in the Blanchardstown area. Towards this end, the OPW has viewed a number of alternative premises and sites. However, none of those viewed to date has been deemed more suitable by the probation and welfare service.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform accepts there is considerable urgency attaching to the development of a probation and welfare service centre in the Blanchardstown area. The service will try to provide that centre as quickly as possible.