Number of children referred to Probation Service at highest level in 10 years, report shows

“The report details our measurable impact,” said its director Mark Wilson.

“In 2024, we worked with over 17,100 individuals in the community [a 10% increase since 2020], while our probation officers delivered more than 13,000 court reports, meeting growing demand with unwavering professionalism.” 

An agency linked to the Department of Justice, the Probation Service is responsible for the supervision and management of people in the community who have offended. It works with gardaí, Courts Service, Parole Board and other agencies to try to reduce re-offending.

It compiles probation assessments and reports for the judiciary and aims to ensure court-ordered sanctions are implemented, while also helping with rehabilitation, social reintegration, and community payback, it said.

Its report said 622 people convicted of sexual offences were being supervised in the community. This was an increase of almost 100 people when compared to 2022.

Furthermore, the number of people who were given life sentences in jail — but were subsequently released — that were being supervised in the community stood at 129.

The total number of court referrals to the Probation Service last year was 9,720, a 5% rise on the year before.

The number of community service hours ordered in lieu of a custodial sentence last year was 222,245. This was up 6.8% on the previous year.

Meanwhile, it worked with 3,521 people in prison to help them prepare to reintegrate with their community and rehabilitate them upon release, which was up 11% on the previous year.

The number of children aged 12-17 referred to the Probation Service was 609. This was the highest since 2015 and 10% higher than the previous year.

Mr Wilson added: “We’re also grateful for the ongoing support of our 60+ community-funded projects across the country, as we work to tackle complex crime, alleviate pressure on prisons, and most importantly, deliver better outcomes for our clients, their families, victims of crime and the wider community.” 

Junior justice minister Niall Collins welcomed the report, and highlighted the increased demand for young people’s probation services.

“We know that reoffending rates for people under supervision of the Probation Service are lower,” he said.

“Through their work, the service continues to make a positive, lasting impact on those they work with and their communities through diverting young people away from the criminal justice system, addressing the root causes of offending behaviour and changing lives for the better.”