Paul Bradford
Ceist:119 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position concerning the implementation of the report of the expert group on the Probation and Welfare Service. [9339/99]
Written Answers. - Probation and Welfare Service.
The expert group on the probation and welfare service in its first report, published on 2 November 1998 made a number of recommendations as follows:
1. An increase in staff numbers and that recruitment be streamlined.
2. That the service needs to develop a PR strategy.
3. An up-to-date IT system must be established.
4. A staff training analysis be carried out.
5. Comprehensive research facilities should be available within the service.
6. Insurance cover regulations for community service projects be changed.
In relation to staffing matters, there are 16 vacancies in the basic grade of permanent probation and welfare officer and the Civil Service Commission is currently recruiting staff to enable these posts to be filled in the first half of 1999. As regards the additional 65 probation and welfare officers and the ten other senior staff and clerical support staff recommended in the expert group's report, my Department is considering the recommendation made by the expert group in consultation with the Department of Finance.
The group is continuing its work and I am awaiting its second report.
In relation to providing a comprehensive public information and awareness programme my Department will be looking at how best a public relations initiative can be progressed to promote knowledge about the current and future development for the service. As regards an IT package for the service, it has been possible to make progress by putting in place local area networks in the probation and welfare offices. These are being installed at present and a considerable amount of computer hardware has been purchased. I am hopeful that by the end of 1999 there will be a comprehensive information technology system in place. My Department will also be implementing a comprehensive training programme for the new IT system and will take into account additional training needs as they arise.
The Probation and Welfare Service has a small research unit and when the extra staff and the improved IT system are in place this will allow for the development of more detailed statistics and data. As regards community service projects and related insurance issues, I will examine this whole area with a view to providing easier and more cost effective insurance cover for people doing community service work.
Finally, I am fully committed to the development of community sanctions and measures as an alternative to custody and as a means of combating crime. The probation and welfare service has a significant role to play in this regard.