Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to resource the community service schemes and the resources currently allocated. [34831/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Probation Service of my Department prioritises its workload and allocates its resources in such a way as to maximise its efficiency and effectiveness. This prioritisation includes particular focus on the delivery of front-line services and the supervision of Community Service Orders.

The Probation Service has restructured the delivery of Community Service nationally under the governance of a dedicated Community Service Unit. Besides the 9 dedicated administrative and probation staff, there are 78 Probation Officers working nationally with a range of duties including community service.

The Probation Service also engages community service supervisors to manage offenders undertaking community service on work projects. There are currently 40.4 community service supervisor posts nationwide, with sanction recently obtained to recruit an additional 4 supervisors.