Joe Costello
Question:760 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will fund a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1649/05]
View answerWednesday, 26 January 2005
Questions (698)
Written answers
I have been advised by management of the Probation and Welfare Service that the stated aim of the project, which is the subject of this parliamentary question, is to engage and provide identified young offenders and ex prisoners aged 16 — 24 years from Cabra with a series of interventions relating to information and access to training and employment. The particular target group are persons who are serving or have served a custodial sentence in a prison or place of detention.
While the Probation and Welfare Service does not make referrals to this project, it has supported the project on an informal basis since its inception. One of the local probation and welfare officers attends monthly committee meetings of the project and offers advice and support to the link worker employed by the project.
My Department, through the Probation and Welfare Service, funds the linkage programme which is a national training and employment initiative which provides a dedicated service to offenders. Its specific remit is to plan and implement training and employment placements for offenders referred by the Probation and Welfare Service. After placement, the Probation and Welfare Service support and liaise with existing agencies.
It is the view of the Probation and Welfare Service management that the service provided by the project being referred to by the Deputy overlaps with that which is provided by the Probation and Welfare Service and other co-ordinated agencies. It overlaps with and duplicates the work of the training and employment officers in the linkage programme.
My Department through the Probation and Welfare Service fund and work in association with voluntary bodies in the provision of relevant services. As projects already exist, funded by my Department, which provide the services being offered by the project referred to and following advice received from the management of the Probation and Welfare Service, I regret that I cannot in the current economic climate provide funding to this project.