asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons employed in the probation service; and if he will indicate their qualifications, rank and geographical distribution throughout the country.
60.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Probation Service.
59.
asked the Minister for Justice the average number of cases in the hands of an individual probation officer at any one time.
61.
asked the Minister for Justice the increase in the number of probation officers employed over the past three years.
62.
asked the Minister for Justice if there is a minimum time which a probation officer is obliged to spend with probationers under his care.
I propose with your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 59 to 62 together.
Most of the information sought in these questions was given by me to the House when introducing my Estimate on 12th April. Probation officers as such are not nowadays being recruited to my Department. Recruitment is to the office of welfare officer. Welfare officers are recruited by open competitive examination held by the Civil Service Commissioners. The qualifications prescribed by the commissioners for the post are set out in a separate statement which, with the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report.
What is usually referred to as the case-load of a particular welfare officer averages between 60 and 70 as a rule. There is of course no such thing as a minimum prescribed time to be spent with any particular person.
Qualifications and other requirements prescribed by the Civil Service Commissioners for appointment as Welfare Officer in the Department of Justice.
Candidates must
(a) be citizens of Ireland,
(b) be at least 23 years and under 40 years of age. (Persons serving in a whole time capacity in the Civil Service or in a pensionable capacity under a local authority may deduct from their age any period of such service not exceeding three years),
(c) be well educated and
(d) have satisfactory training in or experience of social work and
(e) otherwise possess the requisite knowledge and ability and be suitable to enter on the discharge of the duties of the position.
A university degree or diploma in social science or similar qualification is desirable.
Entry to the grade is by open competition conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners. The competition consists of an interview and an optional test in Irish.
Are there any trainee officers in training?
There are some but I could not say how many.
Are they being trained here?
Some of them go to Sheffield. Whether they are there at the moment I do not know but they go there as part of their training.