Vol. 502 No. 1
72 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself with the probation and welfare service available to District Family Law Courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7219/99]
In December 1995 the probation and welfare service of my Department ceased to operate a service to the District Court (Family Law). The service did not have the resources to enable it to undertake the duties as set out in the Family Law Act, 1995, which gave jurisdiction to the Circuit Court to hear the majority of family law cases, as well as some cases being heard in the District Court.
The expert group which I established in November 1997 to examine the probation and welfare service advised in their first report which was published in November 1998 that they would be examining the role of the service in family law and I am awaiting the group's second report which I hope to receive in mid 1999.
As regards the additional staff resources recommended in the expert group's first report, my Department is considering the recommendations made by the group in consultation with the Department of Finance.
