Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 1

Written Answers. - Drop-In Centres.

Máirín Quill

Question:

19 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice if, in relation to the drop-in centres for Cork and Dublin announced by him on 20 February 1991, he will outline (a) when recruitment of staff will commence and (b) the category of offenders which will be referred to these centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

Recruitment of probation and welfare officer to staff the proposed centres has already commenced. Four senior probation and welfare officers have been appointed and the other staff are currently being recruited through the Civil Service Commission.

The use of these centres will not be confined to any particular category of offenders; the intention, however, is that they would be used mainly by offenders who are under intensive supervision.

In selecting offenders for intensive supervision consideration will be given to factors such as the nature of the offence, previous convictions and periods in custody, patterns of offending behaviour, as well as social background and home circumstances. Those who are in custody will be selected for inclusion in this programme through the normal screening processes operated in prisons and places of detention and will then be permitted conditional temporary release under the Criminal Justice Act, 1960. An offender before the courts, who has been found guilty of criminal offences, will be the subject of a thorough and comprehensive pre-sentence report by the probation and welfare service which will then propose to the court, if satisfied as to the offender's suitability, that he or she be placed on a probation order with a specified condition requiring him or her to participate in this programme.