Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that in 1998 the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. John O'Donoghue, T.D., following a Government decision, set up an expert group to examine the Probation Service under the chairmanship of Mr. Brian McCarthy. This group produced its first report in November 1998. The final report of the Group was published in May 1999 and made several recommendations. Many of the recommendations of the Expert Group report have been implemented by my Department.

A further Review of the Probation Service was undertaken by the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2002, the Review entitled "Comptroller and Auditor General Report on Value for Money Examination of the Probation Service" was published in 2004. Following the publication of the Report a small working group involving Departmental and Probation officials was set up to build on existing work including the Expert Group Report and the Value for Money audit of the Service.

In September, 2005, following an open competition, a new Director was appointed to the Probation Service. To support the Director and strengthen the management of the Service, a new senior management structure for the Service has been put in place comprising three Deputy Directors and 2 Assistant Deputy Directors.

The Probation Service Strategy Statement and Work Plan of Strategic Actions 2006-2007, set out the strategic goals of the Service for the period which include:

Creating new management structures;

Carrying out an administrative review of the Service and making appropriate organisational and resourcing changes as required;

Developing a strategic plan for the Young Person's Probation; and

Maximising the potential benefit of Community Service to local communities.

In keeping with the objectives of the Strategy Statement:

An administrative review of the Service commenced in March, 2007 and, I am advised that this is now nearing completion. The main focus of this review is to look at the administrative structure of the Service nationally. The findings of that report will inform decisions regarding any administrative change deemed necessary.

A dedicated Young Persons Probation Division (YPP) was recently established within the Probation Service which has responsibility for the full implementation of the sections of the Children Act, 2001 relating to the Probation Service.

An external consultant was also recently appointed to conduct a review of the Community Service Scheme. I expect the finding of that Review to be presented to me by mid 2008.

In addition to the foregoing, I can also advise the Deputy that a Review of the Systems of Internal Financial Control in the Probation Service was completed in June, 2007. This Report made a recommendation, inter alia, on the establishment of a dedicated financial management unit within the Probation Service. All recommendations of that Report are currently being implemented and a professional accountant will be appointed very shortly to head up the Financial Management Unit.

I am also pleased to inform the Deputy that on foot of a Government Decision dated 18 April, 2007, approving a "Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Package", provided for 71 additional professional and administrative posts for the Probation Service. The recruitment of these additional staff is ongoing.

I am confident that the Probation Service has benefited from the aforementioned comprehensive reviews and it now has the necessary resources to carry out its work in an effective and efficient manner under the guidance of its senior management team.