asked the Minister for Justice how many probation officers are engaged in service in Dublin; if he is aware of the need to increase the number; and if he has any plans for an increase in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Probation Officers in Dublin.
29.
The number of probation officers is five, of whom one is on loan to the Adoption Board. Arrangements have been made to recruit, through the Civil Service Commissioners, a probation administration officer who will be in charge of the service throughout the country, and a male and a female probation officer.
In addition, I have recently made Orders pursuant to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1914, recognising two praesidia of the Legion of Mary and a section of the Salvation Army as societies for the purposes of Section 7 of the Act, a procedure which will enable the courts, when making a probation order in respect of a person under the age of 21, to appoint any person provided by these Societies to act as probation officer in the case.