Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

97. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his Department’s plans for the building currently occupied by a community centre (details supplied) in Tuam, County Galway; if his Department plans to retain, refurbish, or dispose of the property; the engagement which has taken place with TCTC regarding the future use of the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67870/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Tuam Community Training Centre, based in Galway, provides education, training, restorative justice interventions, personal development and progression opportunities for young adult offenders and those at risk of offending or re-offending. The premises occupied by the centre is owned by my Department and the work they do is funded by the Probation Service. I saw first-hand the valuable work carried out by the centre during my visit there last May. I am also aware that there are issues with the condition of the building. Following engagement with the Centre by the Probation Service, my officials are considering options for the building occupied by the Tuam Community Training Centre. I can assure the Deputy that I will provide an update once these options have been reviewed and a decision reached.

The Centre engages with probation clients providing support and training in the community. This is consistent with the Government’s commitment in the Programme for Government to the expanded use of community sanctions, which will improve efforts to rehabilitate offenders and contribute to reducing prison overcrowding.

In April 2025, I launched the Probation Service Community Service Implementation Plan, “New Directions 2025-2027” which sets out a range of actions and targets to increase the uptake, consistency and availability of Community Service Orders throughout the country, so as to provide a meaningful alternative to custodial sentences where appropriate and support desistance from offending behaviour.

Budget 2026 provides an 11.2% increase in funding for the Probation Service, allowing for the recruitment of 100 additional staff. This additional funding will also be used to increase use of supervised community sanctions in the criminal courts, expand restorative justice services and expand supervised temporary release schemes nationally.

On 6 May 2025, I published the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which seeks to amend legislation to increase the maximum number of hours that can be imposed under a Community Service Order from 240 to 480 hours. The amendment will also require a judge to consider a Community Service Order, if a sentence of up to two years is being considered, rather than the current one year requirement.

Work is also under way to develop a pilot bail support policy for women, as an alternative to being detained in custody while awaiting trial or sentencing.

€7.3 million additional funding is being provided for Youth Diversion Projects, which now provide opportunities to prevent young people from getting involved in anti-social, or criminal behaviour, in every part of the State.

The Programme for Government also commits to implement electronic monitoring (EM) for appropriate categories of offender and Budget 2026 allocated funding of €2.1m for the project to allow for staffing, procurement, and other set-up costs. It is intended to go to tender for an electronic monitoring provider shortly.