Probation in the Republic of Ireland: Context and challenges

Abstract

The role of probation in the Republic of Ireland is poorly understood and has attracted little critical attention. The guiding legislation is outdated and the Probation and Welfare Service does not generate the information required to evaluate its own performance. To become more accountable, and demonstrably effective, will require a determined effort both to meet rigorous quality standards in terms of research design and to overcome some of the problems of scale that beset small jurisdictions.