Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 3

Written Answers. - Community Service Orders.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

76 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community service orders imposed by the courts in lieu of prison sentences in each of the past four years; the plans, if any, he has to extend or enhance this alternative to imprisonment; if so, the circumstances in which this will apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24286/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The vast majority of community service orders are imposed in the District Court. The figures for the legal calendar years 1994-95 to 1997-98 which are the most recent complete statistics available are as follows:

Community Service Orders Imposed in the District Courts

Legal calendar year ending	No. of CSO's imposed
31 July 1995	2,011
31 July 1996	1,688
31 July 1997	1,516
31 July 1998	1,956
Total	7,171

Community service orders are occasionally imposed by the Circuit Court but no statistics are available in this regard.

As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the expert group which I set up to examine the probation and welfare service has presented its findings and its final report was published in August of this year.

I am currently examining the recommendations of the group, two of which deal with the development of community service orders under the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act, 1983. These recommendations are an important contribution towards the overall improvement in the development of the community service order.

Independent research is being undertaken by the University of Limerick on the effectiveness of the operation of community service. The research findings are expected to be submitted to my Department in the next few weeks.

I am fully committed to the development of community sanctions and measures as a means of combating crime.