The Minister for Justice today launched the new strategy statement of the Probation Service. Along with a new strategy statement, the Probation Service was celebrating the launch of a new name and new-look website.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister said "Today marks a new beginning for the Probation Service. I believe that the Service, under Director Michael Donnellan, offers an even more determined approach to addressing criminal behaviour".
The Minister also said "I wish to congratulate all involved in the process of creating this important strategy. That partnership has brought an agreed forward thinking approach. The Strategy sets out clear goals with identifiable, measurable targets and I am certain that this approach will stand the test of time and that the Probation Service, under the leadership of Michael Donnellan, will meet the targets it has set for itself."
The Minister recently brought proposals to Government in relation to the Service. The Cabinet approved a strategy to include:
- Establishing a Young Persons' Probation division which will be central to the full implementation of the Children Act, 2001;
- Refocusing work on prisoners to a community perspective and doing this in consultation with the Irish Prison Service;
- Targeting resources and prioritising core areas of work in consultation with the Courts Service;
- Examining the capacity to make greater use of the concept of Restorative Justice;
- Significantly improving the management structure and key focus of the Service; and
- Reviewing the existing legislative and policy framework which dates back to 1907.
26 June 2006