Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he anticipates he will launch the community payback scheme as detailed in the Programme for Government; when the scheme will commence operation; when it will be in full operation; if it will be rolled out nationwide; the resources that will be made available for its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18414/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act, 1983 already 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 programme for Government provides for a Community Pay Back Scheme which will build on the Community Service Scheme currently operating. I have asked officials in my Department to examine the issue and to report back on how best to progress this aspect of the programme for Government, including an examination of the requirement for any legislative change.