Vol. 501 No. 3
315 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the second report of the expert group on the Probation and Welfare Service will be published and its recommendations implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5839/99]
I wish to inform the Deputy that the first report of the expert group on the Probation and Welfare Service was published on 2 November 1998.
The group is continuing its work and I am awaiting its second report. I understand that it will be available around mid-1999. When I receive the report I will give it careful consideration and make decisions regarding its publication and its recommendations.
316 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, in putting in place the 225 basic grade probation and welfare officers recommended by the expert group on the Probation and Welfare Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5840/99]
There are 15 permanent vacancies in the basic grade of probation and welfare officer and the Civil Service Commission is currently recruiting staff to enable these posts to be filled in the first half of 1999. As regards the additional 65 probation and welfare officers and the ten other senior staff and clerical support staff recommended in the expert group's report, my Department is considering the recommendation made by the expert group, in consultation with the Department of Finance.
