Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the annual allocation to the Probation Service since 2003 to date in 2009; the extension of services that have occurred within the service since 2003; the reason for the cut in services in budget 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12498/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that the annual allocation to the Probation Service since 2003 to 2008 is as follows:

As the 2009 estimates have not yet been finalised information in respect of the 2009 figure is not yet available.

Extension of Services

I wish to advise the Deputy that in more recent years the Probation Service has been going through a process of change and restructuring. This has focused on the creation of a new senior management structure followed by an administrative review of the Service to inform strategic decisions on the allocation of resources on an nationwide basis. In addition, Strategy Statements and Strategic Work Plans for 2006/2007 and 2008/2009 were developed to underpin the re-focussing of the work of the Probation Service so that the clear focus of the work of the Service continues to be on how to best meet the needs of its core client group.

I am glad to tell the Deputy that following a Government decision of April, 2007 the Probation Service was in a position to recruit 71 additional staff — 53 persons at professional level and 18 at administrative levels, including a professional accountant. This allocation of significant additional resources has positioned the Service to work in a coordinated way with the other agencies of the criminal justice system with the aim of enhancing public safety

I should also mention two other significant developments within the Service:

'high risk offender' specialist team to work with key agencies within the Criminal Justice System to ensure better public protection has been established; and

A Young Persons' Probation Division (YPP) with dedicated resources which cater solely, on a national basis, for offending children under 18 years has been established to work closely with the Irish Youth Justice Service.

Probation Service Funded Community Projects

As the Deputy will be aware my Department, through the Probation Service, provides funding on an annual basis to community projects.This year we plan to provide funding to over 50 community based projects. These funded projects deliver programmes and services in the area of addiction, accommodation, work preparation, vocational training, literacy, counselling etc. In recent years my Department and the Service have been working to ensure that the range of interventions delivered at project level are the most appropriate for the client group and to that end a funding agreement was introduced in 2007 which underpins the range of service(s) to be delivered upon in any one funding year.

I should also say that a Value for Money and Policy Review of Projects funded through the Probation Service was completed in 2008 and published on my Department's website. The Probation Service is in the process of implementing the recommendations of that review.

Community Service Scheme

The Deputy might also like to be aware of an ongoing Value for Money and Policy Review by an independent evaluator of the operation of the Community Service Scheme. This report is close to finalisation and will inform how the scheme can be utilised to its best effect.