Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 521: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community service orders which have been implemented in each of the past five years with a regional breakdown; and his views on the scope for the extension of this form of alternative to prison. [20870/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act, 1983 provides for the performance of unpaid work in the community by a person who is 16 years or over, who has been convicted of an offence, for which the appropriate penalty would be an immediate custodial sentence and who has given his/her consent to the Court. The information sought by the Deputy, regarding the number of Community Service Orders which have been implemented by region, over the past 5 years, is set out in tabular form.

Community Service operates in communities with group projects, where a group of offenders or an individual, works with a supervisor, undertaking work for the community. The range of work generally carried out by those on community service, includes painting, decorating, landscaping, clearing/maintenance of community facilities (indoor and outdoor) restoration or enhancement of existing facilities such as community centres, youth clubs, grass cutting and cleaning graveyards.

Under the current legislation, Community Service can only be imposed on an individual if the alternative is a custodial sentence. In addition, the individual must consent to the Order. In that respect, while I have no plans to amend the legislation in the immediate future, the current legislation will, like all my Department's legislation, be kept under review.