Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Dec 1993

Vol. 436 No. 7

Written Answers. - Youth Encounter Project.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

117 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if she has received a request for the services of a probation and welfare officer from the Youth Encounter Project, Lower Rutland Street, Dublin 1, each year for the last few years since the service was withdrawn; her views on the fact that the project caters for 32 children from extremely disadvantaged family circumstances who are constantly at risk, making liaison work with the families essential; if she will review the position; and if she will make a probation and welfare officer available to this project.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The most recent correspondence my Department's Probation and Welfare Service received from the Youth Encounter Project, Rutland Street on this matter was in 1990.

A probation and welfare officer was assigned to this project from 1977 to 1989. The officer assigned at that time availed of the facility to take a career break and it was not possible, due to an embargo on recruitment in the public service, to replace the officer.

I have been seeking additional staff for the Probation and Welfare Service and in this context I am keeping the project's position under review.