Tony Gregory
Question:487 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason there is no probation service available to the Family Law Courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14506/97]
Written Answers - Courts Service.
Up to December 1995 the Probation and Welfare Service assisted the courts by providing reports in family law cases although there was no statutory requirement to do so. The Family Law Act, 1995, and subsequent Family Law legislation has put a statutory obligation from 1 August 1996 on the Probation and Welfare Service to provide reports to the courts. Due to increasing work demands, especially in regard to criminal law work, the Probation and Welfare Service has not been able to deliver a family law service since the end of 1995.
My Department has been in regular contact with the Department of Finance in an effort to secure additional resources to meet these new demands. These efforts are continuing. I am fully aware of the need to meet the court's requirements in this regard and I would be hopeful that progress can be made fairly soon.