Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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326. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an outline of any deradicalisation programmes directed by the Probation Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22395/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Probation Service manages over 10,000 offenders in the community and supports 2,000 prisoners in custody on a daily basis. Offenders under court orders are supervised in line with risk.

Probation supervision addresses the root causes of offending behaviour using a social work, evidence-based approach - high risk groups being those who feel alienated and who have experienced social disadvantage.

The Probation Service currently does not operate a standalone deradicalisation programme. However, the Service remains committed to addressing and managing the risks of offenders subject to statutory supervision including offenders who have engaged in radicalisation / violent extremism through evidence-based, multi-agency approaches.

While cases involving radicalisation concerns among Probation Service clients are relatively new and extremely rare, the Service has taken steps to develop its capacity in this area. Irish experts and practitioners, including the Probation Service, attend EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation (Previously known as the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN)) working groups and meetings to participate in training and learn how to better counter violent extremism as part of a network of frontline practitioners.

The Probation Service continues to monitor international best practices and emerging evidence to refine its approach.