Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who have been convicted annually over the past ten years who, as an alternative to a sentence of imprisonment, have received a community service order. [15500/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the published annual reports of the Courts Service and is reproduced in the table below:

*Note: Please note that the Annual Reports from 2001 onwards cover the calendar year.

As the Deputy will be aware the Probation Service of my Department has responsibility for the supervision and management of Community Service Orders in accordance with the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act, 1983. This work, inter alia, involves providing assessment reports to the Courts and managing the completion of the Orders by offenders. I should also say that a value for money and policy review of the CSO Scheme is nearing completion and the findings will inform how we can make best use of this court disposal option in the future.