Deputies have made quite a number of points in the debate on this Estimate. I do not propose to reply to them all or deal with them in detail but I do want to assure all the Deputies, who spoke and have made known points of view on particular aspects of the work of my Department, that everything they said will be carefully considered. If it seems to me, after careful consideration, that anything appropriate or useful can be done, then that will be done. I am grateful to the Deputies who commended the work of the Department in one way or another.
In regard to others who have been critical of myself or my activities, I say that I appreciate their criticism is offered with the highest possible motives, I am sure, and with the laudable object of improving the situation. I recognise that it is of the essence of Parliamentary democracy that these criticisms should be freely voiced and, indeed, cheerfully accepted on this side of the House.
Deputy T. Lynch, Deputy Donegan and Deputy Timmons spoke about boys' clubs and suggested that State assistance for these clubs should be made available in some form or other. I fully realise the value of the activities of these boys' clubs and I think that a proper view of the working of the Department of Justice with regard to the enforcement of law and order and the prevention of crime would not regard the Department's work as commencing at the time that a crime is committed. Indeed, a broad view of the work of the Department and of the Garda Síochána should regard it as extending back beyond that point to the origins of crime and endeavouring to foresee the causes of crime, and, where possible, to take action to eradicate those causes. In that regard, the activities of boys' clubs and similar organisations of that nature are invaluable.
The State, of course, does come to the aid of these clubs in many ways. Substantial amounts of financial assistance are made available, not through my Department, but from other sources. I will examine and see whether there are any additional ways in which my Department or the Garda Síochána can be of assistance to these clubs in their very laudable activities.
Some Deputy mentioned the probation system and Deputy Timmons suggested that we did not have sufficient probation officers in Dublin. I, my Department and, I think, most people, who have studied the problem, are firmly convinced of the enormous value of the probation system. Indeed, the inter-Departmental Committee, which is sitting at the moment, is going very carefully into all aspects of the system. As far as I know, for the manner in which the system is operated at the moment, the number of probation officers is adequate. It may be, however, that the system itself and its operation could be very considerably expanded and that that extension would necessitate the appointment of additional officers. If that is so, we will not hesitate to make available whatever resources are necessary to make the system work as efficiently and as beneficially as possible.
Of course, the probation system can be abused. One of the distressing things about the present situation is that very often the probation system is not invoked when it should be and frequently it is used when it should not be. Deputies may have been horrified to read in the newspapers of the probation system being applied in cases where hardened criminals are up before the court for the fifth, sixth or seventh time. On the other hand, I frequently come across cases where the application of the system would have been invaluable but, for some reason, the justice in his discretion decided not to avail of it.
I am very grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for the many useful things he said about juvenile delinquency, psychiatric treatment, Marlboro House, industrial schools and so on. I can assure him that everything he has said will be very carefully considered. Indeed, any offers of the sort he mentioned which may be made to us will be very gladly availed of, if at all possible. Marlboro House is, of course, the responsibility of the Minister for Education. I know that the Minister has in mind replacing the existing building. I think that the "go ahead" has actually been given for a new building on the outskirts of the city to replace it.
Here again, let me repeat my invitation to the Leader of the main Opposition Party to come and see St. Patrick's, where really useful and valuable work is being done. I cordially invite any Deputy who is interested in these matters to pay a visit. We will facilitate in every way any Deputy who wishes to visit this institution. The same applies to Mountjoy Prison where Deputies will also find that a great many new things are being done.