Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
164. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures he is taking to improve restorative justice; the progress he has made to “roll out nationally the voluntary restorative justice programme”; to provide an update on the Criminal Justice (Promotion of Restorative Justice) (Amendment) Bill 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6086/26]
View answerI am committed to progressing and implementing policies aimed at increasing the use of effective community sanctions that reduce offending, divert people away from criminal behaviour, and support sustainable rehabilitation. Restorative justice is a key component of this work, and evidence shows that this practice can support victims to recover from the impact of a crime, as well as serving to reduce re-offending.
In April last year, I approved the publication of the Probation Service’s Action Plan - "Restoring Relationships: Repairing Harm and Empowering Voices through Restorative Justice" which runs from 2025 to 2027. This plan is designed to promote awareness and support increased use of restorative justice across the system. The plan also commits the Probation Service to driving the integration of restorative justice into all its services, while also expanding it nationally.
I was very pleased to secure in Budget 2026 a very substantial 13% increase in funding for the Probation Service which includes funds to increase the use of supervised community sanctions in the criminal courts, as well as the development and expansion of several schemes, including restorative justice services.
The Service provides restorative justice nationally, and also through a number of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), which provide dedicated restorative justice programmes across 24 counties. The Probation Service also funds other CBOs which use restorative practice in their work with clients, to promote respectful relationships, and acknowledge and address the harm caused by their offending. The Service, through its national Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit, also supports the integration of Restorative Justice models into practice across the country. This includes victim empathy programmes, family restorative conferences, reparation projects, and victim-offender dialogues.
I’m advised that the Service has recently concluded a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from CBOs which are interested and capable of employing dedicated Restorative Justice project workers to deliver restorative justice services in Donegal, Sligo, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. The Service will also be conducting EOI competitions in 2026 to further expand its services including in South Tipperary and Waterford.
I am aware that the Deputy brought forward the Criminal Justice (Promotion of Restorative Justice) Amendment Bill and my Department is currently considering a review of the Community Sanctions Bill 2014 which addresses related issues. My officials are currently developing proposals for legislation to address these issues and to strengthen the range of restorative justice options available to the courts. I look forward to discussing this further following consideration by Government.
