With more than 35 community-based offices nationwide, the Probation Service is responsible for the assessment and management of offenders in the community. It provides services to both adult and young offenders, in the community, in detention and in custody. Services are organised nationally and delivered locally with the provision of probation supervision, community service, community return, restorative justice and anti-offending behaviour programmes.

Key 2023 statistics

• In 2021, the Probation Service dealt with 16,989 offenders in the community and 3,175 offenders in prison.
• The Probation Service completed 10,891 Probation Assessment Reports and 2,142 Community Service Assessment Reports.
• The 1,614 Community Service Orders for 2023 totals 209,311 hours work in lieu of 778 years in prison. This equates to over €2 million worth of unpaid work for the benefit of communities nationwide.
• 18% of referrals in 2023 were female and 82% were male.
• There were 700 young persons referred to the Probation Service in 2023.
• The top six offences resulting in referrals to the probation service and representing 75% of referrals in 2023 were 1. Theft; 2. Drug offences; 3. Assault; 4. Public order; 5. Road traffic; 6. Burglary.