Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
740. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm whether supervisors are employed to supervise community service; the person who ensures the correct numbers of hours are undertaken by the person doing community service; the person who decides the type of community service that should be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12913/14]
View answerThe Probation Service has responsibility for the supervision and management of community service orders in accordance with the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act, 1983 as amended by the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011. The Probation Service supervises community service orders on behalf of the Court using group and individual work placements. All referrals for community service are assessed by Probation Officers and a report is presented to the Court. A community service order requires an offender to perform unpaid work for between 40 and 240 hours, usually to be completed within 12 months. Offenders subject to community service orders are overseen by Probation Officers and Community Service Supervisors. Following the making of an order offenders are assigned by the Probation Service to undertake particular work in their communities. Community Service Supervisors work on these placement sites and supervise offenders on a daily basis. Their role includes, management of the site, oversight of the work being undertaken and reporting on attendance and the completion of hours.
