Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question number 129 on 25 November last. The scheme outlined, involving the expansion of the two existing restorative justice projects in Nenagh and Tallaght, has been introduced by the Probation Service and will start to be operational during 2011 with the following targets:

The implementation of a robust restorative justice model of practice providing an alternative to a prison sentence of less than 12 months duration,

Management of up to 100 adult offenders by Community Reparation (Nenagh) and up to 300 by the Restorative Justice Service (Tallaght),

The expanded involvement of volunteer and community resources.

The Probation Service will monitor, oversee and report on the implementation of the restorative justice scheme which will be evaluated for effectiveness and value for money after a 12 month period.