Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2025
703. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of funded positions in young person’s probation; the number of filled positions in young person’s probation between the years 2020 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51652/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraYoung Person Probation (YPP) is an operational region of the Probation Service that assesses and supervises approximately 750 children referred to it each year. YPP Probation Officers work with children in the community, in detention and post-detention. Within YPP, there are three dedicated teams, Dublin North, Dublin South and Cork/Limerick.
Probation Service staff working in this region are trained in specific approaches to working with children and young people who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Outside of the dedicated teams mentioned, theYoung Person Probation (YPP) is an operational region of the Probation Service that assesses and supervises approximately 750 children referred to it each year. YPP Probation Of Probation Service provides child specific training to equip Probation Officers assigned to work with children where there is no dedicated YPP team. The Probation Service prioritises children’s referrals, both at assessment and supervision stages.
I am advised that the current number of funded positions across Young Persons Probation teams is 18, and a breakdown of current staffing and vacancies across those teams is contained in the attached table 1.
The number of filled positions (Newly hired staff) from 2020 to date in 2025 is contained in the table 2 attached.
Table 1:
YPP Staffing to date 2025
|
Young Persons Probation (YPP) |
|
|
In post |
Vacant |
|
Senior Probation Officer x 1 Probation Officer x 2 Probation Assistant x 1 |
Probation Officer x2 |
|
Senior Probation Officer x 1 Probation Officer x 3 Probation Assistant x 1 |
Probation Officer x 1 |
|
Senior Probation Officer x1 Probation Officer x 5 Probation Assistant x 1 |
- |
|
Assistant Principal Probation Officer x 1 Clerical Officer x 1 |
- |
Table 2:
|
Year |
Filled positions |
|
2020 |
1 |
|
2021 |
2 |
|
2022 |
2 |
|
2023 |
1 |
|
2024 |
1 |
|
2025 (to August) |
3 |
