Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2008
102 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a house (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and when he envisages this much needed facility will be re-instated. [44600/08]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Board of Management of the Project advised the Director of the Probation Service by letter dated 7th October that it was the unanimous view of the Board that the facility should be closed. In that letter the Board indicated that it shared the concerns outlined in the independent review of the Project, one of four Adult Probation Residential Facilities, which formed part of the review report. That report can be viewed on my Department's website.
In the intervening period the Probation Service has worked with the Board of Management to effect an orderly closure of the project in its present form. I am advised by the Director of the Probation Service that this work is progressing to plan.
As I have already indicated I want to find the best option available to meet the addiction needs of the client group of the Probation Service. To that end my Department, in cooperation with the Probation Service, are working to achieve a viable alternative that will meet the individual needs of the client group of the Probation Service, thus adding value to the work of the Service in the community in that area. I expect that this exploratory work will be completed early in the new year and that will inform decisions on the future of the House.
