Martin Brady (Dublin North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the Donaghmede probation office, including the number of staff engaged on duties and the number of offenders dealt with weekly; and if he will meet with the Donaghmede residents association to discuss the centre. [30120/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The probation office in Donaghmede opened to its clients at the end of March 2004. Since then it has seen an average of 58 clients every month. The offices accommodate two teams of 12 probation and welfare officers, two senior probation and welfare officers and two clerical officers. One team covers the local catchment area while another specifically deals with referrals under the Children Act 2001. A monitoring group for the office was established comprising representatives of the traders of the shopping centre, the property management group, the probation and welfare service and the gardaí under an independent chairperson. Representatives of the residents association have declined participation in the group to date.

The monitoring group will report to me after a period of 12 months of operation of the office with regard to any increase in criminality which is found to be linked to the operation of the probation and welfare service in Donaghmede shopping centre. It is my intention to take action, if in the collective opinion of the monitoring group, it transpires that the presence of the probation and welfare office in the shopping centre is linked to a significant rise in crime in the area.