John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2026. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he plans to change children's probation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42207/25]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2027. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be made available for a specific youth justice probation worker in Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42208/25]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2026 and 2027 together.

The Probation Service, Young Person Probation (YPP) is an operational region of the Probation Service that assesses and supervises approximately 750 children referred to it each year. YPP Probation Officers work with children in the community, in detention and post-detention. Within YPP, there are three dedicated teams, Dublin North, Dublin South and Cork/Limerick. Probation Service staff working in this region are trained in specific approaches to working with children and young people who are involved in the criminal justice system.

Outside of the dedicated teams mentioned, the Probation Service provides child specific training to equip Probation Officers assigned to work with children where there is no dedicated YPP team. The Probation Service prioritises children’s referrals, both at assessment and supervision stages.

The Probation Service have advised that they continually review services provided to adults and children in all operational regions. Changes are implemented based on evolving best practices, research, training and legislative requirements.