21st October 2003
351. Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of probation officers working in the probation service; the extra resources that have been made available recently or that he plans to make available; his views on the work of the service and plans for reorganisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24114/03]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I wish to advise the Deputy that there are one principal, 13 assistant principal, 48 senior and 208 probation and welfare officers currently employed in the probation and welfare service. An additional 25 professional grade posts were recently sanctioned in relation to implementation of the Children Act 2001. Recruitment is ongoing. Nine additional probation and welfare officers took up duty in September 2003. I recently advertised a new competition to recruit probation and welfare officers and interviewing of candidates is scheduled to commence on 28 October 2003.
The probation and welfare service is a key component of the criminal justice system. While I have no immediate plans for a reorganisation of the service, I will be examining, in due course, the implications of the value for money audit of the service which is underway at present by officials from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.