Parliamentary Question: Probation and Welfare Service

4th May 2004

233. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the monitoring committee for the Donaghmede probation centre will be provided with in depth details of a client's case. [12510/04]

234. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who will appoint the chairperson of the monitoring committee for the Donaghmede probation centre. [12513/04]

235. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to whom the monitoring committee for the Donaghmede probation centre will report. [12514/04]

236. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who will convene meetings of the Donaghmede probation centre monitoring committee; who will draw up the agenda; and who will take the minutes of meetings and ensure that there is a follow up. [12515/04]

237. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the monitoring committee will have the power to close the Donaghmede probation centre in the event of a significant increase in crime in the area. [12516/04]

238. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the terms of reference for the monitoring committee overseeing the Donaghmede probation centre. [12517/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):  I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 238, inclusive, together.

A monitoring committee was recently established comprising representatives of the traders of the shopping centre, the property management group, the probation and welfare service, my Department, and the Garda to review the operation of the new probation and welfare office at Donaghmede shopping centre and to report to me on the impact of the presence of the office on the area. The local residents' association was invited to nominate a representative but has not done so to date. The committee met for the first time on 22 March 2004 and elected a chairperson. A member of the staff of the probation and welfare service agreed to act as secretary to the committee. The committee met again on 29 March and 19 April 2004. The first review of the operation of the office is planned to take place after six to 12 months of operation to allow for a settling in period. I intend to take appropriate action, if it transpires that the presence of the office is linked to a significant rise in criminality in the area. The monitoring committee will not have access to in depth details of the cases of offenders attending the office.