Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans for curtailing the activities of drug addicts who consistently rob supermarkets and other such premises; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that jailing such people in the majority of cases does not seem to work; his views on whether such people can be rehabilitated on community projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39259/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government's National Drug Strategy 2009-2016 tackles the complex problem of drug misuse in an integrated way under the five pillar headings of Drugs Supply Reduction, Education and Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Research. Underpinning this strategy is the collaborative approach in place between statutory services and the community and voluntary sectors. A key feature of this strategy is to provide drug treatment for people in the criminal justice system who require such care.

The Probation Service of the Department of Justice and Law Reform is the lead agency in the assessment and management of offenders in our communities. This Service provides funding to approximately 50 voluntary bodies to add value to the core work of the Service and to assist with the management of offenders in the community. Community based organisations in receipt of funding provide a range of services to offenders including training and education, offender management programmes, residential accommodation, and drug and alcohol abuse treatment programmes.

In keeping with the principles in the National Drug Strategy, the Probation Service is committed to playing its part in the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated drug treatment implementation programme. The principal provider of services and funder of medical and non-medical addiction services for both illicit drug and alcohol use is the Health Service Executive through its Social Inclusion Services.

The Deputy will also be aware that in May, 2010 I published a Review of the Drug Treatment Court. This Review provided evidence that the option of the Drug Treatment Court can have encouraging outcomes. The findings suggested that participants who engage with the Programme have reduced rates of recidivism and improved health, education and social skills. Based on this Review and the implementation of a series of recommendations aimed at making the Programme more effective, I approved the continued operation of the Drug Treatment Court for a further two years.

More generally, the Deputy might wish to be aware that I intend to bring forward proposals to Government in the next few weeks to draft legislation to encourage greater use of community service orders in lieu of custodial sentences for minor offences. I should also add that the second Discussion Document of the White Paper on Crime series, 'Criminal Sanctions', which was published in February 2010 included an examination of the use of non-custodial sanctions generally, such as Community Service. Submissions on this Document were invited from the Public and, in August 2010, my Department published reports of both the submissions received and a consultation seminar held in Dublin Castle in May 2010. The opinions received will be reflected in the development of future policy.

An Garda Síochána continue to monitor the situation with a view to putting in place crime prevention and reduction schemes as appropriate. My Department and its agencies will continue to invest significant efforts and resources into addressing the problems associated with drug misuse and will continue to do so under our National Drugs Strategy.