Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 545: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the orders made in 1963 under section 7 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act 1914 to give a group (details supplied) the status of probation officers; the names of the presidia of the group whose members were given the status of probation officers by virtue of the orders in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6590/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Following an examination of available information in my Department for 1963, the records show that recognition as a society for the purposes of section 7 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act 1914 was granted to each of the following in that year, as set out in the following table.

It should be noted that at the time in question, 1963, the services of professional probation officers were only employed in Dublin. The total number employed was five professional probation officers, of whom one was on loan to the Adoption Board. In addition, no formal qualifications were required for entry to the probation service. In-service training was provided.

Departmental records available for the period in question indicate that from 1942 onwards, the services of the Legion of Mary were availed of on an informal basis for probation work. Following the establishment of the interdepartmental committee on the prevention of crime and treatment of offenders in late 1962, however, it was recommended that the value of the work done by the Legion of Mary would be greatly enhanced if the members were authorised to act as probation officers in their own right. This official status was provided for under section 7 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act 1914.