Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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301. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a series of matters in relation to an organisation (details supplied) will be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52561/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As indicated to the Deputy in my reply to question 1296 of 26 April, I am informed by the Director of the Probation Service that it was formally notified in March 2022 by the Board of the organisation referred to, of their intention to wind down the organisation.

The Probation Service has also now informed me that they continued to engage with the Board regarding the winding down process. In this regard the Probation Service has already undertaken the process of engaging with Probation Service clients, in order to ensure that that they are aware of the closure and to discuss what alternative supports require to be put in place.

In line with existing commitments, the Probation Service has funded the organisation for the first half of this year. The Probation Service has also agreed to fund the organisation for proposed operational and wind up costs.

The Department of Social Protection also provides funding to the organisation concerned to support a Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Programme. I am informed that the Department of Social Protection officials are in active discussions with a new Sponsor with a view to them taking over responsibility for the Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Programme. It is hoped that these discussions will reach a successful outcome in the near future.

Finally, I can advise the Deputy that my Department has no role in relation to human resource matters concerning the organisation in question.