Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 3

Written Answers. - Probation and Welfare Service.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

96 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reasons in his Department's Estimate for 2004, the provision for the probation and welfare service, both in regard to operating costs and services for offenders, has been so substantially reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28231/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Deputy will be aware of the wide-ranging scope of my Department's activities, all of which are important and require substantial resources. Considering these activities globally, I am pleased that the net provision across the justice group Vote is up from €1.731 billion in 2003 to €1.836 billion in 2004, representing an increase of 6.1%. The overall allocation for the probation and welfare service in 2004 is €39.8 million. This compares with an allocation of €40.614 million in 2003, a decrease of just 2%.

The variation between the 2003 and 2004 Estimates for the probation and welfare service in regard to operating costs and services for offenders is as follows:

Subhead	Allocation 2003	Allocation 2004	Decrease
	€000s	€000s	€000s
E2 – Operating Costs	3,795 m	3,636 m	159
E3 – Services to Offenders	17,374	15,929	1,445(873k of which relates to capital expenditure)

The provision for the probation and welfare service, both in regard to operating costs and services for offenders, for 2004 is realistic. In 2002, expenditure under both subheads amounted to €3.115 million and €14.142 million, respectively. The outturn of expenditure for both subheads to date in 2003 amounts to €3.061 million and €12.861 million, respectively, which is substantially less than the allocation for the coming year. Having regard to this, I consider that the 2004 allocation for the probation and welfare service is adequate.